Tuesday, 31 January, 2017 by DhakaTribune

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Magh 18, 1423, Jamadiul Awwal 2, 1438

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 274

www.dhakatribune.com

32 pages |

Price: Tk10

Cabinet okays draft of anti-dowry law › 2

Government plans to set up 3 new land ports while 13 lay inactive › 3

Civil society members: Form fair, non-partisan and capable EC › 5

Most tanners fail to relocate wet blue processing plants to Savar › 12

Six golds for indomitable Bangladesh › 24

How Bangladesh lost $67m in climate funding › 2

AL goons in land grab fest at Rampal project › 32

News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

How Bangladesh lost $67m in climate funding n Abu Siddique Bangladesh has lost $67 million dollars in climate adaptation funding because the Bangladeshi and United Nations Development Program officials charged with getting the proposal approved ignored objections raised by fund managers. Those with knowledge of the proposal process told the Dhaka Tribune that one Bangladeshi official’s desire for a career legacy and an Australian UNDP consultant’s personal whimsy contributed to poorly managed funding negotiations. Instead of heeding warnings from the UN’s Green Climate Fund (GCF) that the proposal, as it stood, would be shelved, Economic Relations Division (ERD) and UNDP officials attempted to railroad the proposal anyway. The Dhaka Tribune has learned that UN officials asked Bangladesh on the sidelines of a GCF board meeting last December in Samoa to withdraw the project or risk having it rejected formally. An independent panel of experts for the GCF expressed strong reservations about the model of water collection and distribution, and sustainability of the rainwater harvesting project. The project was intended to enhance climate adaptation for women and girls. The enormity of the proposal’s flaws is captured in this observation by the independent evaluators: “ … there is no indication whatsoever of how rainwater is going to be collected in the harvesting tanks.” They said that the proposed tanks would not capture or harvest rainwater but only store it. According to insiders, GCF experts had unofficially communicated with both the ERD, which is the quality control gatekeeper of all such project proposals, and the UNDP, which initiated the project, explaining that the project was conceptually weak and had glaring deficiencies. But the UNDP, the project’s initiator, pushed hard to get Bangladesh’s designated authority, the ERD, to go ahead with the proposal without addressing the deficiencies that experts had pointed out. Neither agency withdrew the bid. The GCF rejected Bangladesh’s application for funds. The same meeting in the small island nation saw the GCF approve eight projects worth $315 million.

Colossal miscalculations

Despite failing to explain how rainwater would be harvested, the proposal had big plans for storage.

Cabinet okays draft of antidowry law Abu Bakar n Mohammad Siddique

GCF AT A GLANCE 2009 Proposed 2010 GCF formed 2011 Fixed the governing mechanism 2012 First Board Meeting 2013 Headquarters established in Songdo, Republic of Korea 2014 Resource mobilization over $10 bn 2015 First GCF funding decisions taken before historic Paris Agreement

FUND SITUATION

35 PROJECTS APPROVED (One for Bangladesh in 2015) THE PROPOSED PROJECT

UNDP seeks GCF financing of $67.22m Around $43m for water harvest tank units, $30,000 per unit Very big. The project envisaged that each of the proposed 1,350 rainwater collection tanks, to be set up at 450 points in six coastal districts, would measure 2,000 square metres, roughly 21,527 square feet. That is roughly one-third the size of a football field. The independent evaluators wondered where such massive buildings would be found in coastal Bangladesh. A UNDP representative present at the GCF board meeting was given a chance to respond to queries which experts had earlier put forth. Instead, the official reiterated the project’s supposed merits. A video of the proceedings, obtained by the Dhaka Tribune, shows the UNDP representative evading questions raised by the GCF board.

Plum plumbing

The most glaring oddity in the proposal was the singling out of an Australian brand of water tanks – Rhino – for the projects. The UNDP reportedly told evaluators that Rhino was the only brand that presented cost estimates — $30,000 for each tank. Evaluators said there was “no reason for having just one brand name of tanks specified.” “Water storage tanks have existed for millennia. There are hundreds of suppliers of water tanks, dozens of suppliers of UV disinfection and water filters. “The specifications for the equipment proposed is written in such a way that makes it look like only the company Rhino could provide it,” the independent evaluators observed.

Pledged $10.3bn Signed $9.9bn Committed $1.5bn Total value $4.7bn

ITAP COMMENTS

No indication of how rainwater is going to be collected in the tanks How the users will access the water is not indicated No allocation for the operation and maintenance Only one brand of tanks specified

Insiders told the Dhaka Tribune that Rhino was the brand used at home by Australian national and UNDP Bangkok consultant Peter Wolf, who has ties to the project. They claimed that Wolf was largely behind this push to get the proposal approved despite the warning bells. Climate finance analyst M Zakir Hossain Khan said the specification of a single water tank brand was a clear indicator of corruption.

Like bridges to nowhere

Having failed to explain how rainwater would be harvested, the proposal went on to omit estimations of the cost of transporting water from the collection point to peripheral storage tanks, and from the storage tanks to beneficiaries. “Second, the proposal contains no indication of how the potential users are going to access the water stored in these ‘rain harvest’ tanks,” the independent evaluators said. They asked whether the water would be transported to homes or whether women would be required to walk to the tanks. They pointed out that the proposed project had not made any allocation for the operation and maintenance of the roofs, rainwater conveyance system, tanks, filters or ultraviolet disinfection. And yet the proposal claimed the project would benefit up to 3 million people with a steady supply of drinking water and 40,000 women through direct cash transfers.

“We do not have the capacity to evaluate these projects”

The Dhaka Tribune was not able to contact the ERD chief, Senior Sec-

retary Mohammad Mejbahuddin, who gives the final green signal for all GCF proposals. According to those with knowledge of the process, Mejbahuddin, who very recently retired, is reported to have said in the face of criticism about the project, that he wanted to see a substantial project go through before he left. His desire to claim credit for a major project has been one of the reasons to promote the flawed project, insiders claimed. His top aide, Deputy Secretary Iftekhar Hossain, said his office did not have the expertise to fully assess each project that came through. “We do not have the capacity to actually evaluate these projects.” The project proposal’s focal point, UNDP Dhaka official AKM Mamunur Rashid, claimed the UNDP had already responded to queries. He offered no new response to the deficiencies raised in the independent evaluators’ observations. As to speculation about Peter Wolf’s role in the loss of the funding, he declined to comment. Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, said the political economy of developed country relations with developing countries had a role to play in the failure of the project’s approval. But he added: “The project was in fact weakly formulated and should have been more robust.” Ainun Nishat, a climate negotiator for Bangladesh and a long-time insider of numerous environmental projects, expressed dissatisfaction with the project. “The people who developed this project should have been more accountable.” l

The Cabinet has approved the draft of Anti-Dowry Law 2017 which includes the provision for up to 14 years of imprisonment in cases of suicides resulting from emotional abuse and lifeterm jail for bodily harm. The draft was approved on principle at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday morning. Highlighting the aspects of the bill at a press briefing after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said it constitutes strict jail time and fines for those who abuse women or incite them to commit suicide if they are not able to pay dowry to their in-laws. However, the amount of fine has not been specified in the law, he added. Shafiul further said in a dowry case the law would recognise the husband’s family as the accused since history has shown that only men or their families demand dowry from their wives; there is no precedence of a woman or her family demanding dowry from her husband. In the existing law, both husband and wife can be accused of demanding dowry. The draft has been formulated to make minor amendments to the existing law. It defines dowry as anything that a husband, his parents or anyone directly related to his family demands from the wife. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs initially recommended death penalty for inciting suicide in the draft, but it was later revised. In case of light injuries, Shafiul said the accused will be imprisoned for three years, or charged with a fine, or both. Based on the suffering of the victim, a court can also order the accused to provide lifelong alimony to the victim. One can be sentenced to prison for one to five years, or charged a Tk50,000 fine, or both for assisting in the exchange of dowry. The current law, first enacted in 1980 and amended three times since, only has the provision for punishment for demanding dowry, but it does not include punishment for physically abuse in relation to dowry. l

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Govt plans to set up 3 new land ports while 13 lay inactive n Shohel Mamun The government has decided to establish three new land ports in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to ensure smooth and efficient trade with India and Myanmar. The ports will be built at Ramgarh in Khagrachhari, Gundam in Bandarban and Tegamukh in Rangamati, said sources at the Ministry of Shipping. Ramgarh will establish trade connection with India’s Tripura state, Gundam with Myanmar’s Rakhine state and Tegamukh with India’s Mizoram state, they added. The decision has received lukewarm response from experts who are questioning the necessity of building three brand new land ports when the country already has 22 land ports. In addition, only nine of the existing land ports are currently functional; the rest are inactive mainly due to the authorities’ negligence and lack of trade opportunities. Asked why the government is planning to build the new ports, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said the decision was made to curb illegal trading in the region. “Smuggling is rampant in the region. Building the land ports will ensure legal trades between Bangladesh and the two neighbouring countries and stop the smuggling. The government will also earn revenue from the ports,” he told the Dhaka Tribune on Sunday.

New university to be named after PM n Shadma Malik A cabinet meeting yesterday approved two new public universities named after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her mother Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib. The Sheikh Hasina University would be established in Netrokona and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University would be established in Jamalpur. Besides, two draft laws titled “Sheikh Hasina University Act 2016” and “Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University Act 2016” were approved in the meeting. According to a University Grants Commission report, 38 public and 85 private universities were approved in 2015 among which 37 public and 82 private universities have started operating. l

BANGLABANDHA

Thakurgaon

BURIMARI

Lalmonirhat

Nilfamari

Kurigram

BIROL

STATUS OF BANGLADESH’S LAND PORTS

CHILAHATI

Panchagarh

Dinajpur

SONAHAT

Rangpur

HILI

Gaibandha

NAKUGAON

Naogaon

GOBRAKURA AND KOROITALI

TAMABIL

Sherpur

Jaipurhat

Sunamganj

Netrokona

Jamalpur

Bogra

Sylhet

Nawabganj Mymensingh

SONAMOSJID Rajshahi

Maulvibazar Nator

Sirajganj

Kishoreganj

Tangail

Habiganj

PRAGPUR Narsingdi

Kushtia

Meherpur

DARSHANA AND JIBONNAGAR

Gazipur

Pabna

MUJIBNAGAR

Manikganj Dhaka

Rajbari

nj Narayanganj

Brahmanbaria

AKHAURA RAMGARH

Chuadanga Jhinaidaha

BENAPOLE

Jessore

Munshiganj

Faridpur

Magura

Madaripur

Narail

Shariatpur

BIBIRBAZAR Comilla Chandpur Khagrachari

Gopalganj Lakshmipur Noakhali

Barisal

BHOMRA

TEGAMUKH

Feni BELONIA

Pirojpur

Shatkhira Bagerhat

Rangamati Jhalokati

Khulna

Bhola Patuakhali

Chittagong

Borguna

Bandarban Cox's Bazar

BAY OF BENGAL

RUNNING

INACTIVE

Source: Bangladesh land port authority

He further said the land ports will create jobs for local people. Meanwhile, experts doubt whether the new land ports would

GUMDUM

PROPOSED TEKNAF

serve their intended purposes given that there is no road or rail connectivity with India and Myanmar in the region.

News

World Bank recently conducted feasibility studies in Ramgarh and Gundam – and earlier in Tegamukh – which suggest that proper connectivity must be established in order to have fully functional land ports in the areas. Tegamukh, for instance, is surrounded by hills with an average height of 50 metres. There is no road connectivity in the area. A 123-kilometre road network needs to be established between Chittagong and Tegamukh via Rajosthali, Bilaichhari and Jurachhari for an active land port, or the trans-border river in Tegamukh has to be dredged to accommodate freighters, according to the study. When contacted, sources at the Local Government Division, Road Transport and Highways Division and other authorities concerned said there was no plan to construct such a road connectivity in Tegamukh yet. “It is evident that without proper connectivity in the region, the land ports will be ineffective,” said Prof Shamsul Haque, teacher at the department of civil engineering in Buet. Meanwhile, the CHT Regional Council has sent letters to the ministries concerned requesting them not to initiate any road construction project in the CHT until the land dispute is resolved. Experts also believe that setting the land ports in the region while land disputes remain unresolved would not be wise. l

HC questions lack of EC law n Ashif Islam Shaon

The High Court issued a rule yesterday asking why it should not direct that a law for formation of the Election Commission (EC) be enacted, as per Article 118 of the Constitution. The High Court bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan issued the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akhond on January 11. “There’s a provision in the constitution for formulating a law to constitute the EC, but the EC is being formed through a search committee, which is unconstitutional,” Akhond told the Dhaka Tribune. The cabinet secretary, law secretary, chief election commissioner and parliament secretariat secretary were made respondents and asked to come up with their explanations within four weeks. Article 118 (1) of the Bangladesh constitution says that there shall be an Election Commission consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and not more than four Election Commissioners, and the appointment of the CEC and other commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf, be made by the President. In the writ petition, the lawyer prayed to the High Court to order the concerned government authorities to formulate the EC law, as years had passed since independence but no government had taken any initiative. Akhond added that he hoped the election commissioners would be neutral and that competent people were appointed to the EC once a law was formulated. l

Charges finalised against four war crime suspects n Ashif Islam Shaon The International Crimes Tribunal investigators have found evidence of war crimes committed by four people from Netrakona. The four were allegedly involved in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971, including the murder of 22 people, rape, abduction, arson and looting at Durgapur and Kamlakanda. At a press conference yesterday, Abdul Hannan Khan, chief coordinator of the investigation agency of ICT, stated that they have finalised the probe report and it will soon be submitted before the tribunal. Though five people were originally accused in the case, one Ramjan Ali died in custody on September 30, 2016. The remaining accused are Khalilur Rahman, 72, Azizur Rahman, 65, Ashok Ali, 82, and Shah Newaz, 88. Police were able to arrest them

all excepting Khalilur Rahman, who is currently on the run. Sanaul Huq, co-coordinator of the investigation agency, said that Khalilur, a member of Islami Chhatra Sangha, joined the Razakar force and later became the Chandigar unit al-Badr commander in 1971. Muslim League supporters Azizur, Ashok and Shah Newaz were members of the same union of the Razakar force. The investigators heard statements from a total of 79 people during the investigation, which began on April 30, 2015, and these four were charged on five counts. The first charge found against them include – attempted rape of Torikennesa, abduction and murder of Aiyub Ali and looting and setting ablaze Yinnas Ali’s house on May 10, 1971. Three Pakistani army men, 20-25 members of al-Badr and the Peace Committee were all

perpetrators of these crimes. The second charge said they attacked, looted and burned down the houses of freedom fighter Matin and his uncle Manju Mia in Kamlakanda on September 11, 1971. In Noagaon village of Durgapur, they looted the houses of Abdul Wahed and freedom fighter Abdul Gafur. The third charge said that on October 26, 1971, 15-16 Pakistani army men and 50-60 al-Badr men abducted Ahmmed Ali, his son Abdul Hamid, Moslem Uddin, Muktol Hossain Talukder, Abdul Hamid Talukder, Abdul Wahed Talukder, Abdus Sattar and Maher Uddin Fakir from their houses in different villages of Durgapur. All of their belongings were looted. Though they spared Abdul Hamid and Abdus Sattar at the request of madrasa teacher Sultan Ahmed, they shot the rest to death after queuing them on the banks of the Bakla River.

The fourth charge said that on October 29 that year, the war criminals launched an attack in Chandigar. They abducted and looted the houses of Fazil Uddin, Abdul Kadir, Abul Hossain, Chhamir Uddin, Sharafat and Mamruz Ali. They killed everyone except Abul Hossain on the same river bank. Abul escaped by jumping into the river. The fifth charge stated that later that year, on November 17 and 18, the four war crime suspects raped Hajera Khatun of Baniyapara in Chandigar. They shot Pukurjan who tried to stop them. The group abducted nine people, took them to a Pakistani army camp and tortured them. An unknown girl was raped and killed as well. Of the abducted men, Jamal Uddin was able to survive by jumping into the river, but the eight others were shot to death and their bodies were dumped into the river. l

News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Sub-inspector assaults wife, police decline case despite confession n Kamrul Hasan A sub-inspector (SI) of Sonargaon police assaulted his wife on January 27, and according to the relatives of the hospitalised wife, local police has declined to file a case against the officer even after his confession. After SI Maksudur Rahman, 32, assaulted his wife Jannatul Ferdous, 20, a second year undergraduate student of an institute in Comilla on Friday evening, she went to the Sonargaon police station with her elder sister in the early morning on January 28 to file a case against her husband. The police, however, according to the victim and her sister, declined to file the case. Officer-in-charge of Sonargaon police, Monjur Qauder, has denied the allegation of refusing to take

the case for the assault. However, a case was yet to be filed till Monday evening. Monjur said to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday afternoon: “We have received the complaint, but we are waiting for the decisions of the two families and would take action accordingly.” He however admitted that the accused police officer did assault his wife. After failing to file the case, Jannatul had left Sonargaon with her sister and went to Comilla Sadar Hospital for treatment. Jannatul was later referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where she was undergoing treatment till yesterday evening. Bilkis Akhter, coordinator of One-stop Crisis Center of DMCH informed the Dhaka Tribune that Jannatul suffered some minor inju-

ries which left marks on her body, but there were no major health concerns. SI Maksudur confessed to the Dhaka Tribune that he did hit his wife. But he also alleged that he found his wife assaulting his mother and sister when he went back home from work that day, and losing his temper, he hit her. He also said that he had to take his sister Rumki, who has been recovering from a cesarean section, to Narayanganj Sadar Hospital and then to a private hospital for treatment after she was physically hit by Jannatul. Maksudur’s sister has returned home after she was released from the hospital. Umme Habiba Sonia, the victim’s sister, had come to visit her younger sister on the day of the incident, and claimed that SI Mak-

sudur beat Jannatul and kicked her out of the house in torn clothes. When Dhaka Tribune called her to ask whether Jannatul had assaulted Maksudur’s family members, Sonia did not answer her phone. Maksudur and Jannatul have been married for one and a half year, but started living together in Sonargaon around six months back. According to Sonia, her sister had a decent conjugal life at the beginning but disharmony arose when Maksudur’s mother and two sisters had moved into the house. She also claimed that at the time of her sister’s marriage, Maksudur, who was a sub-inspector with Sitakunda police, had demanded Tk10 lac as dowry. Maksudur however has denied the allegation of having demanded the dowry altogether. l

Nur Hossain appeals against death penalty verdict n Ashif Islam Shaon Nur Hossain, a death row convict of the sensational Narayanganj seven-murder case, has filed an appeal with the High Court challenging his sentence. On January 16, a Narayanganj court sentenced 26 people, including Nur Hossain and 19 RAB members, to death for the grisly and politically motivated killings of seven people in 2014. “We have submitted an appeal to the respective department of the court,” Nur Hossain’s lawyer SRM Lutfar Rahman Akanda confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. The lawyer submitted a 72-page appeal petition, along with around 550-pages of related documents including the trial court’s verdict. In the petition, Nur sought acquittal from the charges that had been proved against him. On January 29, Chief Justice SK Sinha asked the officials concerned to give greater priority to preparing the death references for the Naraynganj seven-murder convicts in a bid to expedite proceedings. The nation was shocked after the bodies of seven people were found floating in Shitalakhya River with bellies sliced open on April 27, 2014. The main suspect, Nur Hossain, was found guilty of hiring officials and members of the elite Rapid Action Battalion to kill his rival, in order to establish supremacy in local politics and business. l

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia arrives in a Dhaka court yesterday in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case

RAJIB DHAR

Militant daughter Sabina handed over to her grandfather n Arifur Rahman Rabbi DMP’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit has handed over Sabina, who was injured in an explosion during the Ashkona militant den raid, to her grandfather after she was released from the hospital yesterday. CTTC Deputy Commissioner Mohibul Islam confirmed the matter to the Dhaka Tribune. Sabina’s mother Sakila died dur-

ing the raid on December 24 last year when she detonated a suicide vest. The girl, who is around four years old, was with her mother during the incident and received injuries in the explosion. She was later admitted to the DMCH burn unit and received treatment there since the incident. DMCH Police outpost in-charge Bacchu Mia said Sabina was released by the DMCH authority around 2pm after which CTTC Inspector Saidur

Rahman took the girl to the Detective Branch headquarters. DC Mohibul Islam said: “After the doctors released Sabina, we informed her relatives following which her grandfather Shah Alam came from Bhola to receive her around 3pm. “Sabina will be in Dhaka for the next few days as some tests related to her treatment are yet to finish. She would then go to her village with her grandfather.” l

‘BangladeshMyanmar joint move can resolve Rohingya issue’ n Abdul Aziz, Cox’s Bazar The Myanmar’s Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, known as Kofi Annan Commission, has said the Rohingya crisis can be resolved through cooperation and cordiality between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Three members --Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Chairman U Win Mra, Core Member and Founder of Religions for Peace in Myanmar U Aye Lwin and former Lebanese minister of culture and UN Special Advisor to Secretary-General Ghassan Salame-- of the commission made the statement during a meeting with the deputy commissioner (DC) of Cox’s Bazar on Monday afternoon. The DC Md Ali Hossain told reporters that the commission is aiming to better the ties between the two neighbouring countries, helping settle the ongoing Rohingya issue. The meeting was also attended, among others, by officials from the Border Guard Bangladesh and police. The delegates discussed a number of issues including border security and the current status and location of the Rohingya refugees, said Ali. The delegation will recommend its suggestions in the report on the visit to help address the problem, he quoted the trio aS saying. Prior to the meeting the delegation visited the Kutupalang Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar on the same day. It also visited Balukhali Rohingya slum and Kutupalang Refugee camp in Ukhia upazila, and Leda and Shamlapur Rohingya slums in Teknaf. During their visits, the delegates interviewed some Rohingya refugees in presence of joint secretary of foreign ministry, Md Baki Billah, and officials of UNHCR, IOM and local administration. Headed by former UN Secretary General Nations Kofi Annan, the nine-member commission, which was formed in August 2016, consists of three international and six national persons of eminence, is Myanmar’s national initiative to resolve protracted issues in the region. According to a UN estimate, at least 66,000 Rohingyas took shelter in Cox’s Bazar fleeing their homes in Rakhine state in the wake of a military crackdown. Besides, there are about 32,000 Rohingyas living in two refugee camps for more than twenty years. l

News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

‘Form fair, non-partisan and capable EC’ Five more eminent personalities to advise Central Secretary Badiul Alam Masuggestions. n Tarek Mahmud, jumder and Dr Tofayel Ahmed, local “There is a lack of trust among the Mahadi Al Hasnat and Afrose Jahan Chaity

The search committee was urged by 12 eminent personalities to form an fair, non-partisan and capable Election Commission for the 11th national election. The six-member search committee, led by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, met with the 12 civil society personalities at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge yesterday evening. Addressing the media after the meeting, Advocate Begum Sultana Kamal said: “We suggested that the search committee should form the new Election Commission with honest and capable persons who can conduct the next general election in a transparent and impartial manner.” She added that they had also given the committee some technical

Meanwhile, the search committee has invited five more eminent personalities to meet with it at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge at 11am on February 1. After a recent meeting with the president, the committee has obtained a time extension from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Tuesday for the submission of five names for Chief Election Commissioner and four for Election Commissioner. The new invitees are former Chief Election Commissioner Abu Hena, Barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud, Dainik Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam and Security Analyst Abdur Rashid. Cabinet Secretary Shafiul Alam, coordinator of the search committee, said the search committee will convene at 4pm Tuesday, after receiving the names of the persons chosen by the political parties to the

government specialist, concurred with Abul’s statement, adding that some selection standards should be set. Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury added that the EC members should be people with integrity who are acceptable to all parties and are, most efficient in their roles. The other members of the meeting were former Election Commissioner Sohul Hossain, former High Court judge Justice Abdur Rashid, Brig Gen (Retd) Shakhawat Hossain, former Inspector General of Police Nurul Huda and former DU Vice Chancellor SMA Fayez. Unlike the previous committee in 2012, this time the EC search committee held a meeting with civil society members prior to selection. Five more eminent personalities invited

political parties. The establishment of the search committee has slightly eased that tension,” she stated. Dhaka University’s former Vice Chancellor AK Azad Chowdhury said: “The selected EC officials should be patriotic, capable and have affection for the public.” “People need to have faith in the EC, so the committee should not choose biased and inefficient people,” said Shamsul Huda Chowdhury, Former CEC ATM. Former DU teacher Abul Kashem said: “For the public to trust the committee, a system should be introduced whereby the public can express their opinions also.” “Since there is a widespread debate over formation of EC, the process could be detailed under an Act,” he added. Sushashoner Jonno Nagarik’s

Cabinet’s additional secretary (administration and law). The other members of the search committee are High Court Judge Justice Obaidul Hassan, Bangladesh Public Service Commission Chairman Muhammed Sadique, Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Masud Ahmed, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Trustee Board Member Syed Manzoorul Islam and University of Chittagong Pro-Vice Chancellor Shireen Akhter. On January 25, the president formed the search committee after speaking with 31 registered political parties, instructing it to submit two names for each EC post within 10 working days and to chose a female election commissioner, a first in Bangladesh’s history. Some parties, including BNP, criticised the committee, claiming that most of the members were under ruling party’s sway. l

HOME LOAN FOR GOVT EMPLOYEES

Tk10-50 lakh ceiling to be set n Asif Showkat Kallol The government is considering to increase the amount of home loan for public servants from Tk1.2 lakhs to Tk10 lakh and Tk50 lakh respectively for rural and urban employees of the state. A government committee formed to recommend the revised amount of home loan facility for government employees considered setting the ceiling of flat loan for urban government employees as per demands of Dhaka and other metropolitan cities’ real estate market, official sources said. It has also considered fixing the ceiling of home loan facility at Tk10 lakh for state employees of rural areas. For government employees of big cities the amount “will be above Tk 50 lakh”. Currently, the country’s 1.5 million public servants can avail a maximum of Tk1.2 lakh loan at 10% interest for residential purposes. In the Dhaka City, real estate owners are selling 1200 square feet flat at Tk 50-60 lakh in the different areas. In its first meeting on January 6 presided by Finance Division Additional Secretary Najmul Sakib, the committee home loan facilities discussed the above considerations. It also decided to form two tech-

nical committees for assessing impact on government exchequers of an upgraded home loan programme, and another for suggesting how the funds can be collected from different sources. A group-wise home loan ceiling will be fixed for the 20 grades of civil servants. About 50-70% of gratitude funds won’t be provided during the retirement of the civil servants, rather those funds will be used in the public servants’ home loan programme, The meeting also considered that the repayment of loan will not be fixed at more than one third of salary, according to a source who participated in the meeting. Finance Ministry’s Senior Secretary Mahbub Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune: “We will place the recommendations of the committee to cabinet for approval.” Manirul Alam, an official of finance and banking division told Dhaka Tribune “The ceiling of home loan will be above Tk 50 lakh for state employees living in big cities with minimum interest rate.” Vice President Liaquat Ali Bhuiyan of REHAB told Dhaka Tribune: “We will offer 600 and 700 square feet flat at the cost of Tk15 to Tk20 lakh for public servants if the government provides land with a low price.” l

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

DRY WEATHER LIKELY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

Dhaka

Chittagong

Chhatra League men obstruct a procession brought out by Pragatishil Chhatra Jote protesting assault on journalists and members National Committee to protect oil, gas, mineral resources, power and port during hartal on January 26 MEHEDI HASAN

Japanese bidders for Matarbari power plant to submit tender today n Aminur Rahman Rasel After a six-month delay, Marubeni Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation – the two Japanese companies that were shortlisted for submitting tender for the 1,200MW coal-based power plant in Matarbari, Cox’s Bazar – will submit their tender today. 17

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 5:44PM

“We selected Marubeni and Sumitomo based on their Expression of Interest letters for the power plant project,” said Md Abul Quasem, managing director of Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Ltd (CPGCBL), the company in charge of the project. “After they submit their tenders, we will assess their bids and select

Rangpur

Khulna

Barisal 30

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:40AM

28.5ºC Sitakunda

10.4ºC Tetulia

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES

one of them to construct the plant,” he said. The original deadline for submission was on July 24 last year, but the process had to be stalled indefinitely after Dhaka terror attack on July 1, in which seven Japanese citizens were killed along with 10 other foreign nationals and six Bangladeshis. l Sylhet

Cox’s Bazar

Fajr: 6:10am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 4:30pm | Magrib: 5:50pm Esha: 7:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

News

Tomato brings smile on farmers’ faces n Tribune Desk

Tomato cultivation in Jamalpur is gradually being increased as farmers have made good profit selling tomato. According to Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources, this year tomato was cultivated on 1,759 hectares of land which is 301 hectares more than the cultivation area of the last year. The DAE sources said 1,300 hectares in Jamalpur sadar upazila, 20 hectares in Sarishabari, 24 hectares in Melandaha, 350 hectares in Islampur, five hectares in Dewanganj, 10 hectares in Madarganj and 50 hectares in Bakshiganj have been brought under tomato cultivation during the current season. This year, farmers cultivated tomato on a vast tract of land of the Brahmaputra River basin in five unions – Laxmirchar, Tulsirchar, Narundi, Ranagachha and Sharifpur unions of Jamalpur sadar upazila. Sources said over 6,000 farmers in Lakkhir char, Madhyer char, Ranagac char, Tushir char, Narundi, Sharifpur, Haripur, Saheber-

char, Tebirchar, Gajaria, Mollapara, Rayerchar, Charzaharatpur, Bhatipara, Charpara, Purbapara, Banar, Rangamatiya, Uzanpara and Algir char in Jamalpur sadar upazila have cultivated tomato on 1,300 hectares of land. According to Agriculture Department as the growers made a good profit of Tk50,000 and or more harvesting 125 to 130 maunds from per-bigha cultivation of the vegetable last year, the number of growers has increased to around 6,000, more than that of last year and additional land of the basin area have further come under the cultivation exceeding the office-targeted area of land this season. Everyday, around 1,200 tonnes of tomato are being loaded on about 100 trucks from four wholesale markets and carried to Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Comilla, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and other parts of the country to meet the consumers’ demand of those areas. Deputy Director of DAE M Rafiqul Islam said farmers of the district were interested to cultivate tomato their land seeing good profits. l

The ruling Awami League’s students’ wing Bangladesh Chhatra League of MC College unit allegedly set fire to the banner carried by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, youth front of the BNP, during a procession on the campus yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

BCL men torch JCD banner after police halt procession n Mohammed Serajul Islam, Sylhet

Police yesterday reportedly foiled a procession of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) of Murari Chand College, popularly known as MC College, unit which it brought out to welcome its newly formed committee. Moreover, the ruling Awami League’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) of the college unit allegedly set fire to the banner the JCD procession was carrying. Police started to baton charge on over a hundred JCD leaders and activists when they were heading towards MC College with the welcome procession brought out from the Sylhet Government College premises, said Badrul Azad, convener of the committee. Some fellow leaders and activists were in-

jured in the incident, but none of them were in a critical condition, he claimed describing that it started around 12pm on Sylhet-Tamabil Highway. At one stage, police snatched away a banner used in the procession, he further said, adding, BCL leaders and activists later joined the lawmen, setting the banner afire. Contacted, Shahporan police station Officer-in-Charge Shahjalal Munsi said police just obstructed the JCD procession since the student organisation did not take any prior permission in this regard. He, however, admitted the matter of the banner being torched. It is reported that the JCD’s MC College unit formed its new committee on January 5. l

ACC: Corrupt practices at every stage of Ctg customs n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong Anomalies and corrupt practices are taking place at each of the eight stages of taxation of goods at Chittagong Customs House. AFM Aminul Islam, commissioner (investigation) of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said this while talking to the reporters after visiting different sections and holding meeting with the officials of Chittagong Customs House yesterday. The ACC Commissioner said: “The issue drew our attention after it had been published in different media outlets of the country. I, soon after taking over the charge of the commission, warned different government offices about corrupt

practices. We hoped that other offices will rectify themselves. However, many offices think that nothing will happen. The officials of Chittagong Customs House too thought the same like others. We have visited all sections of Customs House and we witnessed different anomalies at each of the eight stages of taxation of goods. We will take necessary steps after probing further into the matter.” To a question on what type of anomalies taking place, the ACC Commissioner said: “The documents submitted against consignment at every stage of taxation are in the hands of the staff of clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents. The customs officials are seen to discuss with importers and C&F

agents during the time of fixing tax which paves the way for illegal transactions.” Expressing his resentment over the negligence of Chittagong Customs authorities, the ACC Commissioner said: “Reports along with photos and video footage were published on the officials involved with corruption. However, the Customs authorities did not take any step in this regard. This is really disappointing.” A high-level team, including the ACC DGs Munir Chowdhury and Atiqur Rahman, visited Chittagong Customs House. The ACC members also visited Chittagong Port and held meeting with the officials of Chittagong Port. l

News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Tangail-4 by-polls today n Tribune Desk The by-polls to Tangail-4 constituency (Kalihati) is going to be held today. The voting will begin at 8am will continue till 4pm without any break. The Election Commission has already completed all preparations to fairly hold the election. According to the district election office, a total of 290,055 voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the by-election through 107 polling centres. Three candidates – Mohammad Hasan Iman Khan of Awami League, Ataur Rahman Khan of BNF and Imrul Kayes of NPP – are in the polls race. The parliamentary seat remains vacant since September 1, 2015 as sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique quit his parliament membership on the same date. The former posts and telecom-

munications minister was dropped from the cabinet and stripped off his membership of the ruling Awami League in October in 2014 amid a wave of criticisms following his derogatory remarks on hajj and Tabligh Jamaat in the USA on September 28, 2014. In the schedule, the Election Commission set March 20, 2016 for the voting. Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddique submitted the nomination paper but after a scrutiny, the returning officer on October 13, 2015, cancelled his nomination paper on loan default charges. The Krishak Shramik Janata League leader appealed to the Election Commission against the decision, but the commission rejected his plea on October 18. Later, he filed a writ petition with the High Court against the Commission’s decision. l

Two to die, 12 get life term n Tribune Desk

A court yesterday sentenced two people to death and 12 others to life term imprisonment for killing two fishermen in 2010. The condemned convicts areRustam Hawladar, 50 and Babul Majhi of Dema-Gulishakhali village in Sadar upazila. The lifers are-Bashar, Riaz Gazi, Khokon, Sentu, Fazlu Hawladar, Khalek, Manirul Islam, Rahim, Babul, Kuti Mia, Badal and Hanif. The court also sentenced Habibur Rahman Jamaddar, a so called prophet of Patharghata upazila to seven years imprisonment. According to the prosecution, 16 fishermen along with Aynal, 24 and Faruk, 40 of Patharghata upazila, went to the Bay of Bengal to catch fish on February 14, 2010. Rustam and Babul drowned Aynal and Faruk in the sea saying that would be made alive again on that day with the help of the so called ‘prophet’. l

A truck turns turtle on a pothole due to dilapidated condition of road in DT road area, Chittagong yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Dried fish processing in full swing in Cox’s Bazar n Abdul Aziz, Cox’s Bazar

Dried fish processing in several areas of Cox’s Bazar is going on in full swing, as people involved in the job have started to catch fish for processing the food. According to local sources, thousands of workers are passing busy times in processing more than 40 species of fish including ribbon fish, bombay duck, anchovies, shrimp, puti, poma, pomfret and sting ray in Nazirartek, Kutubdia, Moheshkhali, Sonadia, Gorokghata, Tazi-

akata, Kutubdia, Boroghop, Khidiartek, Aliakbardail, Angjakahali, pachhimdhurang, Shahpariordip, St-martin, Jaliapara, Naziarartek, Khurmanshkul, Samitypara and Choufaldandi areas. Fish are sundried on racks and frames or mats lay on the ground in the areas. SI Akter Kamal, councilor of Cox’s Bazar municipality and a dry fish trader in the town, Atikullah, president of Nazirartek Fishermen Association, workers Nurul Kader, Md Shahidullah, Kaisar and Shafiul Alam Shafi said there were more than

1,000 dried fish plants in the district. They told the Dhaka Tribune that over 300 tonnes of fish were exported every week in several countries of the world and many towns of Bangladesh. Before the season came, people involved in the industry had to pass their time amid great anxiety for the delay in getting permission from the Forest Department, they also said. Fishermen have made makeshift houses in several char areas in the Dublar Char along the Bay for collecting fish for dry fish processing.

However, the Forest Department has imposed strict rules against damaging forest resources in Dublar Char area. Earlier, the authorities concerned imposed restriction on using child laborers in the fish processing in Dublar Char, terming the job a hazardous one for them. There are seven chars (shoals emerged from riverbed) in Dublar Char. Fishermen have made makeshift houses in several char areas in the Dublar Char along the Bay for col-

lecting fish for dry fish processing. Forest Department sources said the authorities had permitted to set up 1200 makeshift houses and depots for dry fish processing in Dublar Char. About 30,712 quintal dry fish was collected from the area last year. This year it would be more and the government would earn Tk155 crore revenue from this sector. Cox’s Bazar Fisheries Officer-inCharge Maiuddin said over 50,000 people involved in the sector are bustling in the area during the peak season of dry fish precession. l

8 World

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

CHINA

China looks to Mars, Jupiter exploration China’s plans for deep-space exploration included two Mars missions and one Jupiter probe. China plans its first Mars probe by 2020, said Wu Yanhua, vice director of the China National Space Administration. A second Mars probe will bring back samples and conduct research on the planet’s structure, composition and environment, Wu said. XINHUA

ASIA PACIFIC

Philippine police stop anti-drug crackdown The Philippine police chief has stopped the use of the national police force in anti-drug operations and disbanded all police anti-narcotics units after the brutal crackdown was used as a cover by rogue officers to kidnap and kill a South Korean man. Police Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa told police officers Monday he would use the indefinite halt of anti-drug operations to launch a massive purge of police involved in crimes. AP

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq parliament votes in favour of travel ban on US Iraqi lawmakers voted Monday to call on the government to enact a reciprocal travel ban on Americans if Washington does not withdraw its decision to bar the entry of Iraqis. The call is a response to Trump’s executive order barring citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen from entering the US for at least 90 days. AFP

Police speaks near a mosque after a shooting in Quebec on January 29 – an area packed with offices and shops some 10km west of the city’s historic center. The mosque has already been the target of hate: a pig’s head was left on the doorstep last June

REUTERS

during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Other mosques in Canada have been targeted with racist graffiti in recent months. The shooting comes as Canada

has vowed to open its arms to Muslims and refugees after US President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration ban Friday prompted travel chaos and outrage around the world. l

CHRONICLE

Anti-Muslim acts in Canada since Paris attacks Gunmen killed at least six people and injured eight more when they opened fire in a mosque in Quebec City, Canada on Sunday night. There has been an apparent rise in anti-Muslim incidents in Canada following the terrorist attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 people. Here are some reports of intimidation, vandalism, and violence against members of the Canadian Muslim community since the attacks.

Arson attack on the only mosque in Peterborough A day after the attacks in Paris, the Masjid Al-Salaam mosque in Peterborough was deliberately set on fire in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime. The fire started around 11pm on Saturday, November 14. Although nobody was inside at the time, members of the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association had been celebrating the birth of a baby there less than an hour earlier. The fire caused an estimated $80,000 in damage.

Threats to kill in Quebec Montreal police arrested and charged 24-year-old Jesse Pelletier on November 18 in connection with a YouTube video that showed someone in a Joker mask threatening to kill Quebec Muslims.

CANADA MOSQUE SHOOTING Gunmen open fire at the Islamic Cultural Center in a busy district of Quebec City CANADA Montreal OTTAWA UNITED STATES

Quebec City

Witnesses said men entered the mosque and started shooting at around 7.30 pm local time on Sunday Six people killed, 8 injured

Quebec City center Capitale mosque

Two suspects arrested Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called it a “terrorist attack”

“As of next week, there will be murders all across Quebec,” the masked man said in what VICE News described as a Quebecois-sounding accent. “We will eliminate all of them, one by one. Islam has harmed us enough.” The masked man, brandishing what appeared to be a handgun, said he had recruited others in his mission and promised to “fire a bullet in the head of one Arab per week” as response to what had happened in Paris. Pelletier was charged with uttering threats, inciting hatred against an identifiable group, causing fear among members of the Muslim community, and using a fake firearm.

Annour mosque Quebec Islamic Cultural Center

19. Three people reportedly accused the women of being terrorists and one of them was pushed. A witness pulled the emergency alarm on the train but the assailants managed to escape before security showed up.

Houses of worship targeted

Five Indian soldiers rescued last week from snow that caved in on them as they patrolled along the Line of Control, the army said. Indian army spokesman said the soldiers died after they were flown from the frontier area of Machil to Srinagar for specialised treatment. AP

Gunmen stormed into a Quebec mosque during evening prayers and opened fire on dozens of worshippers, killing six and wounding eight in what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned as a “terrorist attack.” Police arrested the two assailants following the shooting Sunday inside the Islamic Cultural Center in a busy district of Quebec City, police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe said. She gave no indication of the identities or nationalities of the two suspects. One witness told Radio Canada that “the two men were wearing black cagoules,” and one of them “had a “strong Quebecois accent.” Some 50 people were in the mosque when the shooting began at around 0030GMT Monday toward the end of evening prayers, Coulombe said. Several minutes later, police descended on the Saint-Foy district

ive

INDIA

5 Indian soldiers die after rescue from Kashmir snow

n AFP, Quebec City

ce R

Two Pakistani bloggers who vanished earlier this month have left the country fearing for their safety, relatives said Monday, following a virulent media campaign painting them as blasphemers. They were among five men who went missing from various cities in Pakistan. Four of the five who had stood against religious intolerance and criticised Pakistan’s military have been freed. AFP

Six killed in ‘terrorist’ attack on Quebec mosque

aw ren

Freed Pakistani bloggers go abroad for safety

St L

SOUTH ASIA

2 km

Assaults on hijab-wearing women A Muslim woman was assaulted in Toronto’s Flemingdon Park neighbourhood on November 16 as she waited to pick up her children from school. The woman, who has not been publicly identified, said she was attacked from behind by two men who pulled on her hijab and repeatedly punched her in the head and in the stomach. They reportedly called her a “terrorist” and told her to “go back to your country” before robbing her of some cash and her phone. Elsewhere in Toronto, two hijab-wearing women were harassed while riding the subway on November

The Centre Islamique de l’Est de Montreal, which is run by controversial preacher Adil Charkaoui, was vandalised shortly after the terrorist attacks in Paris when something was thrown through the mosque’s windows. Another mosque, in Calgary, was broken into Nov. 16 while the congregation attended a vigil for the victims of the Paris attacks. Computers and some cash were taken from the Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly, but police described it merely as a “crime of opportunity” and do not have any reason to investigate it as a hate crime.

Quebec mosque terror Six people died and eight were injured after masked gunmen opened fire at a Quebec City mosque on Sunday night. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned as a “terrorist attack.”

Source: BUZZFEED, AFP

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

USA

FACTBOX

Who is affected by Donald Trump’s immigration order? Ambiguity reigned Sunday as to the finer details of Donald Trump’s temporary ban on incoming refugees and travelers from seven Muslim countries, with questions remaining about how exactly the measures affect various populations. The order initially took many travelers by surprise, especially those already aboard airplanes en route to the United States as the president signed the measure into force on Friday afternoon. Administration officials reported that 109 people had been detained as they arrived in the United States on Saturday, of which “a couple dozen” individuals were still being held as of Sunday morning. The following is a list of the nationalities and groups of people affected by Trump’s order, which is titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.”

Refugees The decree prohibits entry to all refugees, regardless of nationality, for 120 days. Beyond that time, the United States will admit a maximum of 50,000 refugee in 2017, more than halving the 110,000-person limit set by former president Barack Obama. The US refugee program was previously frozen for three months following the September 11 attack in 2001.

Syrians All Syrians, refugee or otherwise, are forbidden from entering the United States until further notice. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Syrian war has forced 4.8m people to flee the country since 2011. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in December it had recorded the deaths of 312,001 people since the conflict began with anti-govern-

ment protests in March 2011.

The banned seven No visas will be issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from seven mainly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Green card holders The decree does not affect those who hold a US green card. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly declared the entry of lawful permanent residents to be “in the national interest.” However, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said that nationals from the seven countries named in the order should expect to be subject to increased border controls.

Visa holders All visa holders coming from the seven specified countries are subject to the

new order, with the exception of those who hold diplomatic visas or visas to international institutions such as Nato or the United Nations. Judges in at least four states have blocked part of the ban, ordering authorities to stop deporting refugees and other travelers stuck at US airports.

Binationals The situation for individuals with dual nationality remains complex. US officials said Saturday that American citizens who also have a passport from one of the seven barred countries are not affected by the order. An exemption is also granted to dual nationals holding British and Canadian passports. But dual nationals who hold passports from one of the seven countries plus an additional foreign country will not be able to gain entrance. l

US tempers part of Trump travel ban amid big protests, criticism n Reuters, Washington, DC US President Donald Trump’s administration on Sunday tempered a key element of his move to ban entry of refugees and people from seven Muslim-majority countries in the face of mounting criticism even from some prominent Republicans and protests that drew tens of thousands in major American cities. Trump signed the directive on Friday, but the policy appeared to be evolving on the fly. Democrats and a growing number of Republicans assailed the move and foreign leaders condemned it amid court challenges and tumult at US airports. The president’s critics have said his action unfairly singled out Muslims, violated US law and the Constitution and defiled America’s historic reputation as hospitable to immigrants. In a fresh defence of the action on Sunday, Trump said his directive was “not about religion” but keeping America safe. Trump has presented the policy as a way to protect the country from the threat of Islamist militants. US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said in a statement that people from the seven countries who hold so-called green cards as lawful permanent US residents would not be blocked from return-

World

A prostestor holds up a sign during a demonstration on January 29 in Washington, DC AFP ing to the United States from overseas, as some had been after the directive. All green card holders who were detained at US airports had been admitted into the country by late Sunday, a US official familiar with the process said. The source could not provide a figure of how many people whose re-entry had been delayed, in some cases for hours. Border and customs officials struggled to put Trump’s directive into practice. Confusion persisted

over details of implementation, in particular for the people who hold green cards. Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a Trump supporter, said the president’s order had been poorly implemented, particularly for green card holders. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus then went on the Sunday morning news programs to say those people would not be blocked. l

Source: AFP

UK under pressure to cancel Trump state visit n AFP, London More than one million people had signed a petition on Monday demanding Britain cancel plans for a state visit by US President Donald Trump following his ban on travellers from mainly Muslim countries. With Prime Minister Theresa May under growing pressure over her ties to Trump, opposition MPs and members of her own Conservative party have also urged ministers to reconsider the visit later this year, which would see Trump honoured by parliament and Queen Elizabeth II. May announced the state visit during talks with Trump at the White House on Friday, intended to reaffirm the “special relationship” and boost trade ties after Britain leaves the European Union. But her closeness to the erratic billionaire drew fire at home, particularly when she initially failed to condemn his ban on refugees and citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries. A petition calling for the state visit to be cancelled because his “well-documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualifies him” from meeting the queen passed one million signatures on Monday morning. l

UN denounces Trump’s travel ban Donald Trump’s ban on travel to the US from some Muslim-majority countries has been denounced by the UN’s rights chief as “mean-spirited” and illegal under international human rights law. Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein said: “Discrimination on nationality alone is forbidden under human rights law. “The US ban is also mean-spirited, and wastes resources needed for proper counter-terrorism”, he added. REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Brazilian army moves to stem prison violence Brazilian authorities have launched a major operation to stem the prison violence that has hit the country, seizing weapons and drugs at a facility where nearly three dozen inmates died in a riot this month. The defence ministry said 335 soldiers were involved in the search of Monte Cristo Farm Penitentiary in northern Roraima state. AFP

UK wins dual-national exemption from Trump visa ban Britain on Sunday won an exemption for its citizens and dual nationals to US President Donald Trump’s visa ban on seven mostly Muslim countries. Foreign Minister Boris Johnson secured the deal after it emerged high-profile British citizens, such as Olympic Champion Mo Farah, were affected by the executive order imposed by Trump on Friday. AFP

EUROPE

French Socialists nominate Hamon for president France’s divided Socialists picked leftwinger Benoit Hamon as their presidential nominee Sunday, in the latest twist of a roller-coaster election race that has seen conservative frontrunner Francois Fillon engulfed in scandal. Near definitive results from a Socialist primary runoff vote Sunday showed Hamon beating his centrist rival Manuel Valls, a former prime minister, with 58.72% of the vote in a clear victory for the leftwing of the party. REUTERS

AFRICA

AU to choose new leader, review Morocco membership The African Union (AU) is due to choose a new leader on Monday in a vote more likely to expose differences over the International Criminal Court. In another potentially divisive move, the 54 heads of state gathered in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, will have to decide whether to approve the re-admission of Morocco. REUTERS

World

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

India readies budget to soothe Uttar Pradesh voters n Reuters, New Delhi India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present the most challenging budget of his tenure on Wednesday, as he seeks to appease voters still hurting from the radical monetary shock therapy that his government has administered. The 2017/18 budget comes less than three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold and risky gamble to outlaw high-value old currency bills, which has slammed the brakes on Asia’s third-largest economy and hit the poor particularly hard. According to one survey, a third of people say their incomes have fallen, with nearly a tenth saying they are much worse off. Judging how quickly the economy will recover is a tough call, making Jaitley’s revenue projections a shot in the dark. Officials say his fourth budget will likely offer modest tax conces-

Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sions and ramp up spending to ease the pain caused by Modi’s decision in November to scrap 86% of the currency in circulation in a bid to purge the cash-reliant economy of illicit “black money” and expose

party in five regional elections for which voting begins on Saturday. The electoral outcome, particularly in the battleground state of Uttar Pradesh that is home to one in every six Indians, is being viewed by analysts as a mid-term “referendum” on Modi. If voters deliver a negative verdict on his cash clampdown, his chances of winning a second term in 2019 as prime minister would suffer. Yet even though the cash crunch has inflicted the most pain on the poor, Modi has said in his campaign speeches it would punish the venal rich. Bad economics may be good politics, say some analysts. REUTERS

untaxed wealth. As well as buoying consumer spending, which contributes nearly 60% to gross domestic product, sops to voters could also shore up the fortunes of Modi’s nationalist

Debt-fuelled spending

Private economists expect Jaitley to plan a federal fiscal deficit of 3.3-3.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2017/18. That is higher than the 3% pledged earlier but lower than 3.5%

that the government has budgeted for the current year to the end of March. That would create space to invest an extra $6bn, but would be anathema to ratings agencies concerned that India’s high national debt exposes it to shocks, such as a possible spike in oil prices. Federal revenues are expected to increase as a share of GDP by 0.5% in the current fiscal year, thanks to incremental hikes in fuel duties. An income tax amnesty scheme launched after Modi’s banknote ban is also likely to lift receipts, but officials are reluctant to say by how much. Similarly, expansion in the formal economy following demonetization should widen the tax base. India, meanwhile, risks losing its status as the world’s fastest-growing big economy to China. The International Monetary Fund this month cut its 2016/17 forecast by one percentage point to 6.6%. l

Trump, Saudi king back ‘rigorously’ enforcing Iran nuclear deal

US President Donald Trump seen through an Oval Office window gives a thumbs up as he speaks on the phone to King Salman of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office of the White House on January 29 in Washington, DC AFP

n AFP, Washington, DC US President Donald Trump and Saudi King Salman want to “rigorously” enforce the Iran nuclear deal, the White House said Sunday, despite the US leader’s long opposition to the agreement. The pair, in a phone conversation, also spoke of the need to address Iran’s “destabilising regional activities,” fight the spread of “radical Islamic terrorism” and establish safe zones in war-ravaged Syria and Yemen, the White House statement read. No further details were provided about those plans. Trump opposed the nuclear

agreement signed by Israel’s archfoe Iran and world powers, including the United States, in 2015 and has said he wants to undo it. Some of his key nominees have adopted an openly anti-Iran stance, including secretary of state candidate Rex Tillerson, who is seeking a complete revision of the accord. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that there were many ways of “undoing” the Iran nuclear deal and that he would discuss that with Trump. But before he left office, former president Barack Obama warned against rowing back the pact, emphasizing its “significant and con-

crete results.” The deal places curbs on Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Tehran is a major foe of both Washington and Riyadh. The Sunni majority Saudi kingdom is engaged in a power struggle with the Shiite country for dominance in the region. The United States and Saudi Arabia have a decades-old relationship based on the exchange of American security for Saudi oil. But ties between Riyadh and Washington became increasingly frayed during the eight-year administration of former president Barack Obama. Saudi leaders felt Obama was reluctant to get involved in the civil war in Syria and other regional conflicts. Trump and King Salman “agreed on the importance of rigorously enforcing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran and of addressing Iran’s destabilising regional activities,” the White House said. Trump also spoke by telephone with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, committing to “further strengthen cooperation on fighting radical Islamic terrorism,” the White House said. l

Supporters carry the coffin of Ko Ni, a prominent member of Myanmar's Muslim minority and legal adviser for Myanmar's ruling NLD party on January 30 REUTERS

Thousands attend funeral of Myanmar Muslim lawyer n AFP, Yangon Thousands of mourners gathered on Monday to bury a top Muslim lawyer and adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi who was gunned down outside Yangon airport in what the ruling party said was a political assassination. Ko Ni, a legal adviser to the National League for Democracy (NLD), was shot in the head on Sunday afternoon as he waited outside the airport while holding his grandson. His killing sent shockwaves through both Myanmar’s already hard-pressed Muslim community and the ruling party in a country where political killings are rare. Police have not said what prompted the murder, but Ko Ni, 63, was a

prominent Muslim figure who spoke out against the increasingly vocal anti-Islamic sentiments of Buddhist hardliners and criticised the powerful military’s grip on power. Both the NLD and Ko Ni’s family suspect he was targeted because of his politics. “We strongly denounce the assassination of Ko Ni like this as it is a terrorist act against the NLD’s policies,” the NLD said in a statement, describing him as an “irreplacable” aide to Suu Kyi. She has yet to make a statement on the killing. A taxi driver who tried to stop the gunman was also killed. The attacker, named by police as 53-yearold Kyi Lin, was arrested at the scene. l

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

12 Business

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

CAPITAL MARKET SNAPSHOT: MONDAY 5,421.2 -1.4% ▼ Index DSE Broad Index CSE All Share Index 16,785.1 -3.5% ▼ 30 Index

1,260.1 14,684.8

-1.2% -3.3%

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30 Index Selected Index

1,978.5 10,182.6

-1.2% -3.5%

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Turnover in Mn Tk Turnover in Mn Tk

10,745.2 718.0

-5.5% -0.9%

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Most tanners fail to relocate wet blue processing plants to Savar Hossain Ovi and n Ibrahim Nadim Hossain Most of the tannery owners have failed to shift their wet blue processing plants to Savar Leather Industrial Park as deadline expires today. According to Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industry Corporation (BSCIC) officials, only 43 tanneries have so far relocated their wet blue processing plants to Savar and started production there as of yesterday. On the expiry of December 31 deadline, the government extended it until January 31 for relocation of plants to Savar from Hazaribagh area in Dhaka. The government also stated that the tannery relocation process will have to complete by March 31. “The government will go for taking tougher actions against the tannery owners, who failed to shift their wet blue processing plants to Savar and start production there,” said Senior Secretary of Industry Ministry Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan while talking to the Dhaka Tribune. Besides, the default tannery owners may also face cancellation of plot allocated for them to relocate their factories, he added. During a field visit to the Leather Industrial Park at Savar, the Dhaka Tribune found that about 30 factories have started blue wet processing there but they are yet to begin full-fledged production. The project director, however, claimed that 43 tanneries have started their production while a good number of tanneries are very close to complete their building construction. “In the estate, already 42 tanneries have started production par-

Tanneries in Hazaribagh area will have to complete relocation process by March 31, 2017 tially, not in full-swing,” Assistant Engineering of the project Moinuddin Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune. However, the construction work of 120 tanneries is very close to be completed and they will be able to start processing very soon while construction of 32 factories are still on progress, observed Ahmed. He also mentioned that the government has already canceled plots allocation of the two tanneries as they have failed to begin the construction work. “Tannery owners are very active in accomplishing their relocation process within the deadline and working very fast,” Md Shaheen Ahamed, chairman of Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), told the Dhaka Tribune.

‘The government will go for taking tougher actions against the tannery owners, who failed to shift their wet blue processing plants to Savar’ Ahmed, however, said: “I think that it won’t be possible to complete the entire relocation by March deadline as some tanners might need some more time up to May.” He argued that it takes more time to harden the pillars, roof and

DITF to continue until February 4 n Rafikul Islam Dhaka International Trade Fair has been extended to February 4. Export Promotion Bureau, the organiser, made the announcement after a meeting yesterday in response to the calls made by the exhibitors. The month-long fair began on January 1 and was supposed to close on January 31. “After considering the demand

of the exhibitors, we have decided to let the fair continue for four more days (of scheduled closure),” said Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed. The exhibitors wanted extension of the fair after seeing the huge number of visitors, said the people concerned. “We have made primary decision today (Monday) to extend the DITF by four more days,” EPB Deputy Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf said.

Last year, the fair continued 10 more days after January 31, the scheduled date of closure. A total of 21 countries including Bangladesh have taken part this year at the fair that includes 580 stalls and pavilions in different categories organised by the EPB under the Ministry of Commerce. The 22nd edition of the fair was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka. l

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

other area of the building before completing the construction work. Talking on the wet blue processing, Ahmed said: “40 tanners have started we blue processing here and the number is increasing day by day.” The Ministry of Industries decided to transfer the tanneries from their current location at Hazaribagh amid pressure from the rights groups, environmental activists and buyers because of their hazardous effects on public health and environment. It allocated plots to 155 tannery owners through Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industry Corporation (BSCIC) at the Leather Industrial Park established on a 200-acre land at Savar. l

Turnover in Mn Vol Turnover in Mn Vol

325.4 31.6

3.6% 34.3%

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Rooppur plant: Cabinet approves deal proposals with India n Asif Showkat Kallol The Cabinet yesterday approved draft proposals of agreement with India on providing advisory support and security to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. The Ministry of Science and Technology placed the proposals at the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. “The Cabinet has approved the agreement proposals with India,” Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told journalists after the meeting. The deals will be signed with two Indian agencies - Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. “We have decided to take expert supports from the two Indian agencies as they are experienced in running nuclear power plants in India for last 20 years,” State Minister for Science and Technology Yafes Osman told Dhaka Tribune. “We want that the Indian authorities will help our staff run the plant while the Russian authorities are also helping in educating the staff,” he said. The Science and Technology Ministry sources said India intends to provide all kinds of cooperation including the security of the project through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with Bangladesh and Russia. The parties concerned will help enhance advisory and technical capacity in the fields of construction, running, regulating and maintenance in waste management and refining at the power plant. Where applicable, the two parties - Bangladesh and India - will exchange experience in the running and maintenance of the power plant. l

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Dhaka stocks continue to fall n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

TURNOVER IN BDT MN (LEFT-SIDE AXIS)

Dhaka stocks continued to decline for the fourth straight sessions as investor continued profit booking to remain in safe zone. During the last four trading sessions, DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has witnessed a 287 points fall. However, some analysts opined that the investors were in a cautious move following the warning by Bangladesh Bank and also by the stock market regulator. “Price correction in stock market is not unexpected after a rise and it is a good sign of matured behaviour of the investors. As the investors thought that the surveillance system s very strong, they finally decided to go for profit booking,” said Abu

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Ahmed, professor of Department of Economics, Dhaka University, while talking to the Dhaka Tribune. Abu Ahmed continued: “The in-

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vestors might take the central bank cautionary message negatively and they became disappointed and it has been reflected in their trading

Business behaviour. But, I did not find anything bad for the stock market in the announced monetary policy.” On Sunday, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) announced monetary policy for the second half of the current fiscal 2016-17. During the announcement, BB Governor Fazle Kabir warned the banks and non-banking financial institutes about loan diversion to the stock market, which witnessed bullish trend in recent weeks. DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) shed 80 points or 1.44% to close at 5,421 points. DS30, the blue chip index plunged by 25 points or 1.23% ending the session at 1,978 points while DSE Shariah-based index declined by 15 points or 1.15% to end at 1,260 points.  PAGE 15 COLUMN 1

Biman makes offers on domestic routes n Tribune Business Desk

Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced special offers for passengers on five domestic routes. The routes include Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Sylhet, Dhaka-Syedpur, Dhaka-Jessore and Dhaka-Barisal, said a press release yesterday. According to the airlines, any passenger can travel on business class with wide-bodied aircraft of the national flag carrier at Tk5,500 on Dhaka-Chittagong-Dhaka (one way) and at Tk5,000 on Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka (one way). Biman made special discount offers on economy class tickets on Dhaka-Syedpur, Dhaka-Jessore and Dhaka-Barisal routes. l

Business

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Euro zone economic sentiment at near six-year high n Reuters Euro zone economic sentiment edged higher to a near six-year high in January, against expectations of a slight dip, as the mood in industry, services, the financial sector and among consumers improved, European Commission data showed yesterday. The Commission’s monthly survey showed economic sentiment in the 19 countries sharing the euro rose to 108.2 in January from 107.8 in December, well above the long-term average of 100 and unmatched since March 2011. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a slight dip in sentiment to 107.7. Separately, the Commission’s

business climate indicator, which points to the phase of the business cycle, was unchanged at 0.77 points, the highest level since June 2011. “The mildly positive developments in euro-area sentiment resulted from improvements in industry, services and consumer confidence which outweighed decreases in retail trade and construction confidence,” the Commission said in a statement. Among the larger countries, economic sentiment decreased in France and very slightly in Germany. It rose strongest in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. Sentiment in industry jumped to 0.8 points from 0.0 in December, above market expectations and

well above the long-term average of -6.5. Sentiment in the services sector, which produces two thirds of the euro zone’s GDP, also rose to 13.5 in January from a revised 13.1 in December, beating economists expectations. Consumer inflation and producer price expectations also rose in January. This is welcome news for the European Central Bank which has been buying billions of euros worth of euro zone government bonds on the market to inject more cash into the banking system and make banks lend more to the real economy to boost inflation closer to its target of below, but close to 2%. l

Inflated euro sign is seen outside the new headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt REUTERS

Novoair to suspend Dhaka-Yangoon-Dhaka flight from Wednesday n Ishtiaq Husain Novoair, a private airliner of the country, is going to suspend its Dhaka-Yangoon-Dhaka flight from February 1 due to lack of passengers. The airliner launched its first international flight on the route on December 1, 2015. The management of the airlines took the decision recently as flight occupancy reduced drastically. Sources said Novoair was forced to suspend its Yangon flight after passenger growth started to reduce from November 2016 after Myanmar Army’s operation on Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine state on the border with Bangladesh. An official of the airliner said initially, flight occupancy was around 30% when it began operation on Yangon route. Passengers were increasing gradually. At one stage, flight occupancy stood at 90%. According to the airlines, now the flight occupancy is around 50% which leads Novoair to incur loss on each flight. The airlines would not be profitable if flight occupancy rate is below 60%. While Novoair launches Dhaka-Yangon-Dhaka flight, the national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, was forced to reduce its airfare on the route. Biman reduced airfare to Tk12,000 on this route after the introduction of Novoair flight. The airline operates a 49-seater fleet of three Em-

braer ERJ 145 aircraft. Two of them are purchased while the other is leased. Novo offers a travel package for two nights and three days including visa processing and hotel booking at a cost of Tk29,522 per person on twin share basis. The airliner also offers tour packages by instalment to promote the newly introduced destination, Yangon. But all goes in vain in the wake of Rohingya issue. Hundreds of bookings had been cancelled as Bangladeshis fearing going to Myanmar. Novoair Managing Head of Marketing Sohail Majid told the Dhaka Tribune that Novoair has decided to temporarily suspend its Dhaka-Yangon flight which would be effective from Wednesday. Initially, the airliner used to operate three flights a week on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. “We were very much hopeful of this destination, but sudden incidents at Myanmar created panic among Bangladeshi travellers as they are not wellknown about the country. Novoair expects flight on this route would resume,” said Sohail. Aviation expert and former Chairman of CAAB Air Commodore M Iqbal Hussain (retd) said travellers always prefer safe place to enjoy their holidays. Considering it, they will not decide any destination where security is a concern. Founded in 2007, Novoair started its journey conducting domestic flights on January 2013. l

New wave of robots set to deliver the goods n AFP, Washington The robots of the future will be coming soon, rolling along at a lumbering pace with those goods you just ordered. The six-wheeled, kneehigh robots from startup Starship Technologies are part of a new wave of automated systems taking aim at the “last mile” delivery of goods to consumers. Starship is launching a pilot project of robotic deliveries of parcels, groceries and prepared foods in early February in the US capital Washington, with a similar test taking place in Redwood City, California. The startup, created by two of the founders of Skype, Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis, has already begun testing in several European cities as part of an effort to bring new efficiencies to local delivery. The goal is to enable delivery within a radius of two miles (three kilometers) within 15-30 minutes of an order, for $1 or less, with the autonomous robots traveling on sidewalks and alerting consumers of their arrival via smartphone app. Starship spokesman Henry Harris-Burland said the founders were looking to “disrupt” an industry which had seen little efficiency improvement from new technology.

“We’re trying to solve real social and economic problems,” Harris-Burland said during a demonstration of the delivery bots in Washington. “This will take cars and vans off the road. We can also provide deliveries to the elderly and handicapped who have difficulty getting around.” The company, which has its business office in London, engineering in Estonia and some 90 employees, announced in January it had raised $17.2m, led by Daimler AG with other investors as it moves to expand its testing and partnerships. While the Starship robots roll at a modest pace of around four miles (six kilometers) per hour, Harris-Burland said they offer a more efficient and economical delivery model than drones, which are being tested by online retail giant Amazon and others. The rolling robots are far less expensive to build and operate than drones and face fewer regulatory issues. He said drones might be better-suited to remote and rural areas, while the Starship bots are designed for cities and suburbs, where they can roll along on sidewalks. “We don’t see these as competing with drones, we see it as complementary,” Harris-Burland said. l

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Dhaka stocks continue to fall Among the traded issues, 68 advanced, 249 declined and 10 remained unchanged. “The stock market inched down yesterday amid volatile trading throughout the day as the shaky investors continued on profit booking mood, said International Leasing Securities Limited. The market’s effort to bounce back was on during the mid-session but the assurance did not continue as the risk-averse investors triggered the daylong selling frenzy especially on bank sector stocks, the stock broker said The participation from the investors slashed by 6% over the previous session as investors remained antagonistic to make fresh investments amid shaky confidence, it added. Besides, declaration of half

year earnings from several issues might have failed to match the investors’ expectation. “Investors seem to opt for profit booking from the recent trail of gain in the market during the month of January” IDLC Investments said in its regular market commentary. Banks, down by 2.72% was the worst loser, followed by NBFIs 1.72%, Fuel 1.15%, Pharmaceuticals 1.03%, Engineering 0.72% and Telecommunications 0.41%. Food and Allied remained flat in the negative territory. Daily turnover stood at Tk1,074 crore which was 5.5% lower than the previous session’s value of Tk1,137 crore. Baraka Power Limited, up by 9.0% was the highest traded share with a turnover of Tk48.22 crore. l

Business

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Preliminary data: German inflation picks up in January n AFP, Frankfurt

Inflation in Europe’s largest economy Germany picked up in January, preliminary data showed yesterday, although the headline number was not as high as analysts had expected. Consumer prices rose by 1.9% yearon-year, federal statistics office Destatis said, up from a rate of 1.7% record-

ed in December. The last time inflation was that high in Germany was in July 2013, the statisticians added. Analysts surveyed by Factset had been penciling in an inflation rate of 2% for December. A pick-up in recent months - from 0.8% in both October and November to 1.7% in December - has been largely attributed to rising oil prices.

Energy prices rose 5.8% in January, Destatis calculated - more than double the rate in December - while food prices rose by 3.2%. That far outpaced prices for services, which grew just 1.2%. The January data means that inflation in Germany is in line with the European Central Bank’s target of close to but just below 2%. l

Tech

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Tips and tricks with Google Pixel Pixel lovers need hidden features too, you know?!

n Mahmood Hossain We’re always diving into some really cool features when it comes to apps and iPhones, so let’s take the middle road and show some lover to all of those sporting the Google Pixel. Like other smartphones or gadgets, there are some nifty features you may not have known about. Whether you have the Pixel or Pixel XL, you are already aware of its amazing camera, lightning quick processor and gorgeous design. There’s no doubt why it’s the best pure Android smartphone in the market, which also happens to be one of the most popular. Here are some things you’d probably want to tweak.

The set up

One of the most important things for anyone using a smartphone are the settings. It’s important to dive into the phone’s basics before achieving the best look for you. The ultimate goal here is to create your own preferences so that you churn out the best performance out of your phone. • Enabling Wi-Fi assistance helps you lock into public Wi-Fi access (or anywhere really) with the safety of turning the VPN on in your phone. • Don’t forget the Pixel also always you to record in 4K video. Unfortunately, you’ll have to change the settings yourself. Go to the native camera app > Settings > Back camera video resolution > UHD 4K. After, go to Google Photos

PHOTOS: GOOGLE

set up to back up your files. The fingerprint scanner also serves as a notification feature; it’s not just about unlocking your phone. Go to Settings > Moves > Swipe for notification. As you turn this feature on, you’ll be able to bring down the notification, drop-down menu by swiping downward on your fingerprint sensor. • There are other really nifty motion features in the same Moves menu. You can turn on your rear camera or selfie camera with these specific •

gestures. Go ahead and give them a try, you won’t be disappointed by the convenient way to access one of the most important apps on any phone. • Google Assistant is equally important. Press and hold the home button to have it pop, and head over to the settings to customise your preferences. It’s basically the Siri for Android; for some, it’s even better than Siri. Now that we have the basics out of the way, here’s to looking at some really cool tips and tricks for your Pixel.

are fast or slow is a different topic all-together, but let’s be grateful for what we’ve been given. And

the app to free up some space in your phone’s storage.

for some, using your phone’s service’s data package is a more enticing option, only using Wi-Fi when necessary. You can actually save data by halting unrestricted background access from apps like Gmail. Open Settings > Data > Data Saver.

Goodnight

Wake me up, before you go-go!

The quickest and best way to unlock your phone is obviously through the fingerprint sensor. And to access this is ridiculously simple. Settings > Security > Pixel Imprint. You can register your fingerprints here so that you’ll be able to unlock the phone faceup, while your index finger is comfortably placed on the senor on the back.

Into the future

Like many smartphones to come, the Pixel can also become a virtual reality setup. All you’ll need is the Daydream View headset to take full advantage of the Daydream world and games.

Save, don’t waste

We no longer live in a world where there’s Wi-Fi in almost every other store around us. Whether they

Up, up and away!

One of the biggest plus sides of using the Pixel is the unlimited photo and video backup through its Photo app in full resolution. That’s right, unlimited. When you open Photos, follow the instructions to set up an autobackup, alongside how you want

This little feature has become almost a necessity for leading smartphones in both the Android and iOS markets. Night Light mode allows for better viewing the screen at night. Science doesn’t lie when it comes to the facts. And the fact remains, you should reduce exposure to bright lights late into the night. You can enable Night Light by going to Settings > Display > Night Light. Once on, using your location, the phone can automatically detect the time and turn the feature on at sunset. Later, the feature will disable itself at sunrise. l

Feature

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Would you want cross-functional teams for your startup? n Nahid Farzana Startups are usually built with less number of people. This is the fundamental thing that gives startups a different culture. But ultimately they also grow. As the startup grows to more than 10 people, things start changing. One great idea to keep the culture same is to restructure as it grows. You can have each team with maximum five members, and each team would include people from different functions, including development, design, marketing, data science, operations and customer support. Here are few reasons why cross-functional teams might work great for your startup:

Trust

Building trust among team members is very crucial. To do so, one great way is to be physically close. Sitting at the same table, making decisions together, going to lunch or other fun places together will ensure strong bonds among team members. When you have a small team, it’s easy

to grow mutual bonding among them. Team members should always celebrate success or even mourn failures together. A great bonding and high level of trust between the members will guarantee a well-functioning team.

Speed

When there are few people in a team, they can make faster decisions, and execute tasks in a short period of time. They do not have to schedule a meeting from two weeks ahead of the time scheduled; rather, things can be done instantly. Cross-functional teams act fast without hurdles.

Creativity

A small team will supposedly mean people from different functions coming together. When you have a small team, you definitely don’t hire extra people for the same work; rather, each has their own functionality. These differences between them bring diversity and unique perspective in the workplace. It increases their ability to come up with great solutions.

Ownership

Small teams allow more transparency as results are much more visible there. Each task or function usually have a oneto-one relationship with every member. It’s easy to see who did which part, and what is to be appreciated most. Success and failures are both more measurable between the members. More

PHOTO: YAHOO

importantly, one will definitely perform better as they know they will get credit for the result.

Liberty

Cross-functional teams have more freedom to make their decisions and work their own way. When you are free to do what you want, you invest more into your work. You give yourself to the work.

Freedom breeds ownership, and ownership breeds results. Small teams have more liberty to own decisions and work in their own way. As a result, it allows each member to invest more into their work. Freedom in your own work allows ownership, and thus results in better outcome.l

Cleanup 101 A cleaning check list to help ward off mystery stains, rancid odours and more

n Amreen Rahman As excited as we are about our grand family and friends gettogethers, there’s always the less exciting task of cleaning up. This week we get some insider tips on how to unburden you from your post-celebration load by giving you a few easy ways to remove all traces of butchery and bring back the charm of your good ol’ home.

Buckets

You’ll be using a lot of these to carry the meat from one floor to the next, it’s inevitable that they will start to take on the rancid odour of dried blood. Compile all your buckets/plastic bowls in the kitchen and thoroughly wash them once with regular dish washing liquid, scrubbing any leftover stains. The smell is most likely to persist, so use a paste of lemon juice and baking soda and leave it on for an hour or two. Then scrub it off again and rinse. PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

Floors

Use half a cup of white vinegar with two cups of hot water and one teaspoon of cleaning liquid. The vinegar has strong germ killing properties and will help disinfect the floors. Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle and spray on surfaces that have stains, allowing it to stay for 10 minutes before wiping it off with a cloth. However, be careful not to use this mix on marble or granite floors, as the acidity of the vinegar may eat away at the floor. Use warm water and PH neutral cleaner for marble, ceramic and stone floors.

Kitchen

Use the same floor liquid cleaner mentioned earlier to wipe the floors clean. For countertops, squeeze the juice of half a lemon and scrub over stains. Let the juice stay on until the stain disappears, then rinse with water. You can also disinfect your cutting board using the same technique.

Fridge

As the hub of your kitchen, your fridge will need to be squeaky clean and empty before you begin packing and storing your raw meat. To help clean your fridge, take some time in hand and start by defrosting it. Remove all shelves and then use a warm cloth to wipe away crystallised stains. Place baking soda and a bit of coffee on a tray and use it to work through the intricate spaces. Finally, wipe it down with a clean warm cloth. Repeat the same process for the shelves. The coffee scent may stay for a while, but that will fade away with any other bad odour plaguing your fridge.

Odour control

Once you have cleaned up your home, throw open the windows and make room for some cross ventilation. To make a natural air freshener, boil lemon or orange peels in water. You may also boil cinnamon sticks, leave a bowl of white vinegar in the rooms or put a few drops of vanilla essence on light bulbs.l

Feature

TUESDAY,JANUARY 31, 2017

Skincare tips from the Far East vitamins, using rice water as a toner can tighten those pores and regular use can even lighten dark spots. As if that wasn’t enough, it soothes the skin due to its antiinflammatory properties. The next time you boil up some rice, save some of the water and see for yourself.

Mint paste for the face

Want an alternative way to brighten your skin? Make a paste of mint leaves with water and

apply as you would a mask.

Egg whites

This one may not be for the fainthearted. Applying egg whites on your face is for the person who will let nothing stand in the way between them and perfect skin. Victorian ladies used this trick as well. Wearing egg whites as a mask can temporarily tighten the skin and make wrinkles appear less visible.

PHOTOS: BIGSTOCK

n Sabah Rahman It’s not a shocker that people from all over the world have turned to Chinese medicine to ease for relief from whatever it is that ails them. Why don’t we go through a few rituals that could help us on the aesthetic front?

Tea

It’s not only the green version that packs all the antioxidants

you need in a cup. White, black and even Oolong tea can be just as beneficial when it comes to keeping our skin on the youthful side. Green is often preferred as studies have shown it can help keep excess weight at bay.

Rice water

Locally known as “maar,” who would have thought that the milky white liquid could be so good for the skin? Chock full of essential

Poo

Yes, most of these stories usually contain a tiny bit of info about poop. It seems as though our friends in China prefer to clear their systems of toxin before they go to bed to ensure a healthy body and skin. Wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.l

Chinese etiquette A few tips on etiquette for the next time you’re visiting a Chinese household

n Naveen Rahman With trade relations the way they are between China and Bangladesh, an invitation to a Chinese household may just become inevitable. Read on for tips on how to pull this off.

Go barefoot

Among Asian households, it’s a custom to go barefoot before entering the household. Usually the entrance to an Asian home is lower than the rest of the house, signifying the physical and psychological purpose of stepping into a new, higher level. If you’re entering an Asian household, depending on how the host greets you (barefoot or with slippers), it’s best to follow their lead. Offer to take off your shoes. In some cases, your host may even offer you a pair of their slippers to wear around their house.

Bring gifts

The Chinese considered gifts to be a polite gesture. If you’re invited to their home, it’s a good idea to bring a gift as a sign of goodwill. However, be careful about what you choose – especially if it has anything to do with numbers. Chinese Asians can be particularly superstitious, especially when it comes

to numbers. If you’re bringing a gift, try to stick to even numbers, however steer clear of the number four. The number four is considered bad luck.

Sip it

Most Chinese households have a strong tea drinking culture. You will most probably be offered tea once you have entered, it is extremely impolite to refuse or to ask for an alternate beverage so try to take small sips and enjoy the drink.

Follow the lead

When it comes down to when you should start eating or how, it’s best to follow your hosts’ lead. Begin eating when your host begins eating. Feel free to eat as much as you want, they will know that you have enjoyed and appreciated the meal.

Maintain etiquette

Always ensure that you’ve arrived on time to your invitation or it’s considered rude or impolite. Also, once you are done eating stay for another 30 minutes or so and don’t leave immediately. When you are offered anything (gifts, napkin, chopsticks, slippers), always remember to take it with both hands rather than one.l

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

Biz Info

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

| launch |

‘Silent Noise’ launched Silent Noise, the first collection of Jackie Kabir’s short stories was launched on January 29, at EMK Centre in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Silent Noise is a collection of 15 short stories, written by the author over a span of 10 years. The stories have reflected a varied range of themes. Four Muslims taking shelter in a Hindu temple; a man fantasising about a moon-girl; a Hindu man and a Muslim woman having a one-night affair at a conference; a middle-aged woman reminiscing about her ex-husband; a toothbrush witnessing a murder of a woman by her husband; and a lesbian roommate persuading a young woman to see things from her perspective, are a few subjects in Jackie’s debut collection. The anthology was published by Pathhak Shamabesh. Talking about her psyche behind writing, the author said that she wanted to give the voiceless the voice, “You may remember a few years ago, police

in old part Dhaka had found chopped pieces of a woman’s body that was flushed out from a bathroom; now, someone must have killed that woman brutally; I tried to provide a voice to the deceased woman in one of my stories. I also tried to portray the intricacies of human relationship.” The launching ceremony was graced by four prominent literary critics of the country. Professor Fakhrul Alam of University of Dhaka, Professor Rajia Sultana Khan of Independent University, Professor Shamsad Mortuza of University of Dhaka and Nusrat Huq, a senior teacher of Sunbeams School analysed various aspects of the stories. The author also read out some excerpts from her stories. The launching ceremony was conducted by Mashrufa Ayasha Nusrat. A wide range of book-lovers were present at the launching ceremony. Jackie Kabir, an English

PHOTO: COURTESY

language teacher, is also a translator. She has contributed in various anthologies and collections in Bangladesh and

India. Although her stories have been published in different anthologies, both at home and abroad, Silent Noise is her first

attempt to publish her stories in a single book. Currently, she is working on her first novel.l

| launch |

| event |

Launching ceremony of Haval SUV brand

Launch event of new Pond’s Pimple Clear

PHOTOS: COURTESY

Ace Autos (Pvt) Ltd has recently unveiled the Haval SUV brand, the no 1 SUV brand of China. Azharul Islam, CEO of Ace launched three different models, namely H2, H6 Coupe and H9. Ace chairperson, Professor Hazera Nazrul, Hafiz Mozumdar, MP, etc were present to highlight the event. Haval is a specialist manufacturer of premium SUVs, and is one of the best-selling SUVs in the world – thanks to its massive home-market popularity as the no1 SUV brand in China (the world’s largest automotive market) for the past

14 years. Haval SUVs have been designed by leading automotive designer, Pierre LeClercq, ex head of BMW design team, and engineered by Ex Toyota Chief Engineer, Suguya Fukusato. Haval sales hit the one-million mark in 2016. With over 2.8 million customers, last year Haval was the world’s 10th largest SUV manufacturer outselling Mercedes, BMW and Mitsubishi SUVs. Their success is due to a combination of commitment, passion, and satisfying their customers.l

PHOTO: COURTESY

Pond’s has unlocked an anti-pimple breakthrough with New Pond’s Pimple Clear, developed by The Pond’s Institute. The launch event for this new variant from Pond’s was held on Sunday, January 29 at Bay’s Galleria. Renowned local dermatologists, Dr Parvin Sultana, Dr Md Salah Uddin, Dr Md Shah Ataur Rahman, Dr Sanchita Barman and Dr Rokhsana Khanam attended the event, and discussed how today’s youngsters are facing a slew of modern-day factors such as urbanisation, changing diets,

pollution and increased societal pressure, that let to stress and greatly impact their experience of pimples. The event was also attended by well-known bloggers and winners of the Pond’s Pimple Clear Contest on Facebook. One good news for the consumers is that starting from February 2017, they will be able to call Unilever Careline number 09-666-999-666 and set up a free consultation with a dermatologist in order to get solutions to their skin problems. l

20 Editorial

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

TODAY

Who are the animals? There is hypocrisy on both sides; there is a growing need for understanding across the divide. But if you don’t see how the treatment of animals reflects on a society, maybe you need to spend more time with them PAGE 21

Dawn of the dictatorship

BIGSTOCK

At best, some of Trump’s voters will change their minds only after experiencing his unkept promises firsthand PAGE 22

Sterilisation nation It is fashionable in Delhi’s power circles to characterise this or that as a ‘national’ problem. The Indian Union is a federal union of extremely diverse and different ethno-linguistic nationalities, whose achievements and failings also differ PAGE 23

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 and they are not the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

Climate change is not a battle we can fight on our own

espite being one of the countries most susceptible to climate change, Bangladesh has been battling its adverse effects without sufficient financial support from developed nations. This is in spite of the fact that it is industralised nations who produce the most when it comes to carbon emissions. As such, it is only right that richer countries help nations such as Bangladesh -- we cannot go at this fight alone. But for that to happen, Bangladesh must do everything in its power to show that it is, in fact, taking the issue of climate change seriously. A recent rainwater harvesting project was shelved because of inadequacy on the part of officials who were in charge of the project. Climate change is a serious issue, and losing a $67 million project such as this one is a significant misstep in battling its adverse effects. Bangladesh must do better. Climate change poses significant risks for Bangladesh, leading to floods, cyclones, and salinity intrusion, among other things, which often results in forced migration and loss of livelihoods. And for a country so vulnerable to climate change, and whose people’s livelihoods rely on land which is eroding away, funding to battle these effects is crucial. It is about time the authorities took this seriously and opened the floor to further discussions with industrialised nations, to work together to battle the effects of climate change, and to secure the funding required to tackle the issues head on. We are all in this fight together.

Climate change is a serious issue, and losing a $67 million project such as this one, is a significant misstep in battling its adverse effects

Opinion

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Who are the animals? The mistreatment of animals is indicative of a how morally defunct a society can be THE WORLD IN PA R E N T H E S E S

n SN Rasul

t’s difficult to argue for the preservation of animal rights in a country like Bangladesh, or a world like the one we currently find ourselves in, when the very notion of even simple, obvious things, such as the rights of humans, face an existential threat. Dogs were killed in Chittagong, you say? Animals are being needlessly tortured? War, famine, starvation rage across the plains of our earthen shores and you want to sit in your air-conditioned office speaking of how inhumane it was to have killed a few dozen dogs? Spare me the grief. If you’ve ever been out on the streets of Dhaka, if you’ve ever taken a walk, you have noticed both immense cruelty and kindness amongst the people who inhabit the sidewalks and roads. You have noticed children play with puppies and kittens and you’ve seen people treat them with utter violence, and how the helpless animals have yelped and squealed in pain. This speaks of two things. One: There is humanity, if I may call the virtues of kindness and empathy thus, in us. And two: There are

Stand up for animal rights

There is hypocrisy on both sides; there is a growing need for understanding across the divide. But if you don’t see how the treatment of animals reflects on a society, maybe you need to spend more time with them

those amongst us who lack it. These aren’t breakthroughs in psychosocial behaviour. These are qualities present in any population large enough to be called a people. But, if the most disenfranchised in our society, if those who find themselves clinging on for dear life to the lowest rung in the ladder that is the socio-economic makeup of Bangladesh, can find it in themselves to care and cater to the un-humans which sometimes dare to occupy the same space as we do, it behooves us, even from

the laid back position of our bed of roses, to argue for the ethical treatment of animals. The reason we should care if dogs -- the most selfless of creatures, the most religiously persecuted -- and other animals are mistreated is because it is indicative of how morally defunct a society can be. Of course, I’d be the first to admit that caring about animals seems secondary when there are people, actual people, in our country, who suffer at the cruel hands of those who rule us, who

DHAKA TRIBUNE

seek to create a divide based on wealth and privilege, who exist in separate spheres of society merely because they weren’t born in the right place, at the right time. As such, some of us have looked down and rolled our eyes at the way certain cultures treat their animals. We cannot comprehend, for example, how people have animals in their homes, how they have dogs in their midst, licking their feet and faces, sharing their beds, cuddling kittens. We have done this because we have concluded that it’s because they, perhaps, don’t have enough to worry about, and can afford to look towards animals and protect them, care for them, love them. But these cultures are also the ones where the rights of its oppressed people, not just animals, are better served and catered to. Even though Trump rages on against the immigration of Muslims (or, rather, citizens of countries with a majority Muslim

population), it has allowed for a great number of people to grow sympathy and empathy for the marginalised. It has at least allowed for a culture to flourish which lets people speak up (somewhat) in favour of the oppressed (to some extent). It has, both in theory (which we do, somewhat) and in practice (which we hardly do), taught people to see the world less in the lines that our ancestors had drawn, and more in the way hearts beat, across nations and species, much the same. Some might find the idea of equating immigrants to animals objectionable but that’s exactly how many see people of other cultures, races, religions, classes, as less than that. Some might mention the hypocrisy involved in fighting for the rights of dogs while one sits at their dinner table and gorges on a rib-eye steak. And the further hypocrisy of the upper-middle class who allow

their pets to come up on the bed, nuzzle them, while they treat their servants as if it is they who are the animals, reserved for certain places, caged in factions of illrepute. Some might say that the connection between how a society treats its animals and how it treats the weakest amongst it is tenuous at best. And none of that would be wrong. There is hypocrisy on both sides; there is a growing need for understanding across the divide. But if you don’t see how the treatment of animals reflects on a society, maybe you need to spend more time with them. Maybe, if you find it so inexplicable, you can find yourself at a dog-owner’s house, and see how humans can only hope of being as doting and as loving as a dog is. Only then maybe you’ll see who the animals really are. l SN Rasul is a Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune.

Opinion

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Dawn of the dictatorship Trump has wasted no time imperiling American democracy

n Samuel G Freedman

uring Donald Trump’s improbable and inflammatory rise to presidency, a truism emerged to explain the polar reactions to him: The media takes Trump literally but not seriously, and his supporters take him seriously but not literally. What this bon mot meant was that journalists made far too much of Trump’s promises to build a wall, ban Muslims, erect trade barriers, destroy Obamacare, and so forth, while Trump’s electoral fan base never believed in all details but did see the candidate as a serious figure rather than the demagogic, incoherent clown of liberals’ scorn. Barely one week into the Trump regime, we now know both sides were right, and American democracy is imperiled as a result. Yes, behind all the scattershot tweets and egotistical sputtering, Trump has a consistent, long-held white-nationalist ideology. And, yes, he was telling the detailed truth about all of his bigoted and benighted policies. It has taken only nine days of the Trump presidency to see that we are in the dawn of a dictatorship. One of his first executive orders pushed forward a $25 billion plan to build a wall along the Mexican border. Another slammed shut America’s golden door on refugees from the Syrian civil war and both immigrants and already-approved resident aliens from seven majority-Muslim countries. That measure also gave explicit preference to Christians, a religious test for admission that has never existed in American history. Our nation knows by now that it was a fantasy to have expected the Republican Party to act as any kind of brake on the extremism of Trump and his personal Goebbels, Steve Bannon. Well before Trump even took office, all but a handful of Republican senators and representatives had proven themselves gutless wonders. The primary-election opponents he mocked and subjected to conspiracy theories -- “Little Marco” Rubio, Ted Cruz, son of that supposed participant in the JFK assassination -- endorsed their bullying tormentor. Now, the Republican majority in Congress is palpably salivating at Trump’s signature on the party’s long-standing agenda of massive tax cuts for the wealthy and shredding of the social safety net

A cabinet of statesmen or a confederation of despots? for the poor and working-class. Trump will also give Republicans a Supreme Court nominee or two, which could reverse the Roe v Wade ruling on abortion rights and the Obergell case’s decision allowing same-sex marriage. So it comes as no surprise whatsoever that House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and VP Mike Pence could all so readily contradict their own previously stated positions against a ban on Muslim immigration once Trump issued a Steve Bannon-authored executive order doing essentially that. The Republican Jewish Coalition, no doubt delirious over Trump’s instant alliance with Benjamin Netanyahu in support of the settlement enterprise and confrontation with Iran, has gone similarly mute. When Sheldon Adelson has an aisle seat on the presidential platform for the inauguration, you know all you need to know. And you would never guess that the same Reince Priebus, now trying to finesse the offensive and instantly controversial Muslim ban is the same person who, in the wake of Mitt Romney’s 2012 defeat to Barack Obama, authorised an internal Republican Party study on the need to reach out to nonwhite voters lest the GOP continue to lose presidential elections as America becomes an increasingly young, diverse, and urban nation. With the expedient

exceptions of a few Republican representatives in swing districts, and the more principled example of senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham, mavericks who are even more liberated by likely being in their final terms, Republican office-holders have fallen into an obedient line. They live in greater fear of Trump’s alt-right base, which is disproportionately powerful in low-turnout primary elections, than of destroying the American values of religious freedom and openness to immigrants. Those are not Democratic Party values, mind you, but American values; Ronald Reagan, nobody’s idea of a left-winger, signed amnesty for undocumented immigrants and welcomed refugees. So, if one mistake for those of us in the resistance is to expect an iota of integrity from Republicans in Congress, then a second is to believe that even the best investigative reporting will change the minds of Trump’s hardcore -- those 36% to 40%of Americans who approved of him in recent polls. Thanks to decades of efforts by right-wing Republicans to delegitimise reported, factual news as partisan bias -- efforts that began with Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew in the late 1960s -- a substantial share of the citizenry cannot be persuaded by truth if it contravenes predisposition. At best, some of Trump’s voters will change their minds only after

REUTERS

experiencing his unkept promises first-hand -- when the revival of coal mines and auto plants doesn’t happen, when trade wars kill jobs dependent on the import-export economy, when working-class whites lose their Obamacare coverage in favour of a wholly insufficient tax credit, if even that. Trump’s base must suffer before it learns. And the third mistake for moderates and liberals is to put faith in a vision of Trump as impetuous, inconsistent, and disorganised, a contraption ticking down to self-destruction. May it be so. But in the meantime, the only safe position for the opposition is to assume that every Trump gambit, no matter how seemingly spontaneous, fits a larger, nefarious purpose. Those complete falsehoods about millions of illegal immigrants having voted for Hillary Clinton? Trump’s announced investigation into non-existent ballot fraud is the ideal way to keep Republican momentum for voter-suppression laws. Sending out his flacks Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway to repeat presidential lies to incredulous reporters? Those moments provide the perfect video clip for the Breitbart, Drudge Report, and Fox audiences, which see not Spicer and Conway but the mainstream media being humiliated in the encounters. As has already become apparent with the Muslim ban, the future

At best, some of Trump’s voters will change their minds only after experiencing his unkept promises first-hand

of the republic rests with the courts, or at least it does until the 2018 and 2020 elections. Judges in New York, Seattle, Boston, and northern Virginia all issued restraining orders against portions of the executive order. Surely, the Trump regime will counter-sue, and it’s hardly unreasonable to expect a resulting case to reach the Supreme Court. However conservative half the high court’s current judges are, they are also lifetime appointees, free to actually decide on the basis of conscience and the American constitution. And should Trump lose at the Supreme Court, then every sensate American will be waiting in trepidation to see whether his reaction is capitulation or a coup. l Samuel G Freedman is an American author and journalist. This article previously appeared in Haaretz.

Opinion

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Sterilisation nation Looking at things from the perspective of the Indian Union might hide more than it reveals

Delhi often ignores the true diversity of India

BIGSTOCK

It is fashionable in Delhi’s power circles to characterise this or that as a ‘national’ problem. The Indian Union is a federal union of extremely diverse and different ethno-linguistic nationalities, whose achievements and failings also differ

n Garga Chatterjee

ast month, India’s Union Minister of State for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh chose to pontificate on the need for reproductive sterilisation in the Indian Union using the Hindi term nasbandi, thus bringing back the memory of the draconian sterilisation initiatives during the emergency regime of Indira Gandhi. He used the term nasbandi for its rhyming effect with notebandi, the Hindi term for demonetisation. In fact he said as such -- that demonetisation had to be followed up with sterilisation. In making his point, he evoked the idea of the “country.” He also said that all sections of society should adopt the practice of sterilisation. To be fair, he did not speak of forced sterilisation. He marked out “population explosion” as a problem and laid out his prescription to solve it. While he is free to suggest solutions,

however outlandish, to a “population explosion” problem in the “country” -- there is another problem. There is a population explosion problem in the country only if by country he means his homeland Bihar. The Indian Union does not have a “population explosion” problem. Let me explain what I mean. It is fashionable in Delhi’s power circles to characterise this or that as a “national” problem. The Indian Union is a federal union of extremely diverse and different ethno-linguistic nationalities, whose achievements and failings also differ. Thus, all such cases of “national problem” need to be analysed carefully because, more often than not, characterisation of something as a “national problem” by such powerful people from the Delhi power circuit leads to “national” policies to provide “national” solutions. And that affects a huge number of people, who people like Giriraj Kishore, don’t have in mind when

he evokes the “national.” Probably because his idea of his “nation” stems from his backyard, which may be his “nation” but is not everybody else’s nation. A total fertility rate less than 2.1 is generally considered to be a below replacement rate, which means, when TFR falls below that number and that is sustained, in future the population actually decreases. In areas with very high mortality, the replacement TFR rate can be somewhat higher. West Bengal’s TFR is 1.64, which is among the lowest in the world -- same as Netherlands, Canada, and Denmark. The Dravidian homelands do not have a problem. Tamil Nadu and Kerala are similar to West Bengal at around 1.7. Karnataka, and Maharashtra are around 1.8, comparable to Belgium, Finland, and Norway. All of these are better than the US and UK’s. Thus, these states and most others, which comprise the whole of the Deccan peninsula and the East, do not have a “population explosion,” and thus do not share the “national problem.” If anything, they have the opposite problem. So who is to be held responsible? Only six states in the Indian Union have TFRs of more than 2.34. They are -- Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar. All of them have Hindi as the primary official language. I mention that because the language ties them into a cultural sphere that is the source of the so-called “national problem.” Thus Giriraj Singh’s “national” problem is a Hindi belt problem. Hence, if solutions are to be sought, it is to be sought by breaking it down to these politicalcultural units and then identify what exactly about them is problematic. It is useful to see why this problem becomes a “national problem” in BJP leader Giriraj Singh’s mind. The six problem states contributed to 60% of the seats won by BJP in 2014 while seat-wise, all the seats in these states (not only those won by the BJP) make up less than 37% of the total number of Lok Sabha seats. This means that the problem states have an undue hold on the composition of the Union legislature. Hence, it is not unnatural that this disproportionate hold on the Union government leads its functionaries to use the “idea

of India” and “nation” to falsely generalise the problems and then devise ways for the non-problem states to pick up the bill when it comes to paying for the solution to such problems. There is another aspect to this. Since no internal migration controls exist between the states of the Indian Union, the economic and social gains that come with a low TFR are denied to the low TFR states. The high TFR states thus send across people to low TFR states, thus burdening low TFR states with the problem of high TFR states that Giriraj mischaracterised as a “national” one. In fact, such is the scale of the problem that among the top 10 linguistic groups in the Indian Union, only Hindi speaking people’s population percentage as a proportion of the total population of the Indian Union has increased every decade for the last five decades. Apart from the economic costs, this aspect, along with uncontrolled migration, has grave consequences for the distinct socio-cultural fabric of almost all non-Hindi states. However, Giriraj Singh’s apparently sudden observations on “population explosion” have a more sinister dog-whistle element. Because, just two months before voicing his concerns about “population explosion,” the same Giriraj Singh suggested that Hindus should increase their population by having more children. Thus, what he had in mind was a Muslim population growth issue that he chose to couch in terms of a “national problem.” The false generalisation of Hindi belt problems as “national” problems goes beyond this specific episode. Take the example of Indo-Pak rivalry. It is not uniformly popular. There are anti-Pak Hindi films, but no one has heard of an anti-Pak Bhojpuri or Bangla film. There simply is no market. More often than not, looking at things always from an Indian Union wide perspective often hides more than it reveals about the question at hand. So, next time someone tells you about something national, ask him or her to break it down to the level of states and then make your own conclusions. l Garga Chatterjee is a political and cultural commentator. He can be followed on twitter @gargac.

24 Sport

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

BANGLADESH TOUR OF INDIA, 2017

TOP STORIES

Injured trio to learn fate today n Tribune Report Bangladesh Open starts tomorrow The third edition of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open, biggest golf event in Bangladesh, is all set to start at the capital’s Kurmitola Golf Club from tomorrow with the participation of 132 golfers from 19 countries across the world. PAGE 25

‘Schweinsteiger staying at United’ One-time outcast Bastian Schweinsteiger appears to be back in favour with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who insisted Sunday the WC winner was staying at Old Trafford. PAGE 26

Bangladesh archer Hira Moni attempts a shot during the women’s individual recurve bow event at Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium in the capital yesterday. Hira won the gold medal in that event MD MANIK

Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim, opening batsman Imrul Kayes and top order batsman Mominul Haque are set to undergo fitness tests today to decide their availability for the one-match Test series against India next month. According to Bangladesh Cricket Board chief physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury, the three cricketers, who are key members to Bangladesh Test batting line-up, have recovered well from their respective injuries but then again the fitness will show the final picture. The Bangladesh Test squad for the one-off Test against hosts India will be declared tomorrow. Mushfiqur had picked a thumb injury in the first Test against New Zealand at Wellington earlier this month while Imrul had hurt his left thigh in the same game. The duo was ruled out of the second Test against the Kiwis. Mominul ahead of the second Test had complained of bruised rib cage and also had to miss the game. Bangladesh are scheduled to leave Dhaka on Thursday. The Tigers during the 12-day long tour will first play a two-day warm-up game against India A team and then take on the home side in the Test starting from February 9. l

ISSF INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIP 2017

Higuain strikes again as rivals flounder Gonzalo Higuain scored his eighth goal in the last six league games to inspire Serie A leaders Juventus to a 2-0 win at Sassuolo on Sunday while their nearest rivals floundered. PAGE 27

Aussies fall despite Stoinis heroics

New Zealand scraped home in the first one-dayer against Australia yesterday, but only after rookie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis’ fell agonisingly short of dragging his team to victory with an unbeaten 146 run innings. PAGE 28

Six golds for indomitable Bangladesh n Tribune Report Hosts Bangladesh showed sheer domination by winning six gold medals out of nine events in the maiden edition of the ISSF International Solidarity Archery Championship 2017 which concluded at Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium in the capital yesterday. The finals of all nine events in both men's and women's section took place yesterday. Bangladesh archers reached the final of seven events and eventually came out as winners in six occasions. The hosts won one silver and two bronze to take their goal-tally to nine, more than any other participating nation. Malaysia, Saudi Arab and Iraq won one gold each while Nepal, Bhutan and Azerbaijan finished the tournament without a single gold. Bhutan, however, managed to win three silver medals.

Bangladesh's most prestigious medals came from Hira Moni in the women's individual recurve bow event. Hira defeated Ramozamova of Azerbaijan by 6-4 to grab the gold medal. Bangladesh's only losing finalist on the final day was Bonya Akter who lost against

Iraqi archer Fatimah narrowly by 135-133 in the gold-medal deciding match of women's individual compound event. Bangladesh women’s team comprising Beauty Roy, Shyamoli Roy and Radia Akter Shapla beat Nepal by 6-2 in the women’s re-

curve team event while Ruman Sana and Beauty pair defeated Bhutan with the same margin in the final of mixed doubles event. The men’s team comprising Roman Sana, Sanwar Hossain and Mohammad Tamimul Islam defeated Bhutan by 6-2 to take the gold in the men’s recurve bow team event. In the men’s compound team event, Bangladesh’s Md Abul Kashem Mamun, Milon Molla and Nazmul Huda beat Malaysia archery team by 214-207 points to win gold. Abul Kashem and Sushmita Banik pair beat their Iraqi opponents in the final of the mixed compound event where Bangladesh and Iraq were the only two participants and directly played the final. Prior to the tournament, Bangladesh targeted to win at least six gold medals out of total nine events. l

Sport

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Bashundhara Bangladesh Open starts tomorrow n Tribune Report

The third edition of Bashundhara Bangladesh Open is all set to start at the capital’s Kurmitola Golf Club from tomorrow with the participation of 132 golfers from 19 countries across the world. The US$300,000 event, considered as Bangladesh’s biggest international golf tournament, will feature Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, who won the opening edition of the meet in 2015, in-form Thai golfer Sutijet Kooratanapisan, who finished runner-up last year, India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and American Johannes Veerman. Other notable players in the tournament this year include in-form Shubhankar Sharma and Rashid Khan of Indiaas well as Casey O’Toole of USA. Ace local golfing sensation Siddikur Rahman, the two-time Asian Tour winner, will lead Bangladesh contingent along with Shakhawat Sohel, who was country’s top performer in the last edition and Zamal Hossain Molla. As hosts, 33 rising professional golfers and six amateur from Bangladesh will be taking part in the final round. Siddikur’s performance in the previous two editions was not up to the mark as he failed to emerge as the best local player in both tournaments. Siddikur finished 35th last year while Sohel and Zamal placed sixth and seventh respectively. The winner of the Bangladesh Open will take home a prize purse of US$54,000 and a unique trophy designed in the form of Bangladesh’s national animal, the Royal Bengal Tiger. l

Bangladesh ace golfer Siddikur Rahman is present during the trophy unveiling ceremony of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open at Kurmitola yesterday MD MANIK

BANGLADESH CRICKET LEAGUE

East Zone win comprehensively n Tribune Report East Zone registered a comprehensive nine wicket victory over Central Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League yesterday. On the other match of the day South Zone was trailing by 198 runs after North Zone declared their first innings on 492/9 where Naeem Islam struck 185 runs. Central Zone v East Zone, Bogra Central Zone were bundled out on 198 after resuming the third day on 65/1. Marshal Ayub was the top scorer with 35. Pacer Abul Hasan

Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) organised Inter Department Badminton & Handball Competition which ended yesterday. Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Brig Gen Ridwan-AlMahmood, ndc, afwc, psc was present along with BUP officials and students and handed over prizes among the winners COURTESY

and left arm spinner Saqlain Sajib picked up three wickets while fast bowler Ebadat Hossain took two along with Abu Jayed. Jayed took seven wickets in the game after his five wicket haul in the first innings. East Zone chased the small target of 56 runs losing the only wicket of man of the match Liton Kumar Das on six run on the board. Zakir Hasan remained unbeaten on 33 and Mehedi Maruf was not out on 14 to finish the game in the third day. Earlier Central Zone posted 224/10 on their first innings where East Zone took the first innings

lead and scored 367/10 on their first innings riding on a magnificent 219 run knock by opener Liton. South Zone v North Zone, Sylhet South Zone will resume the fourth and final day on 294/4 where Fazle Mahmud scored 121 off 213 deliveries featuring 14 fours and two sixes and remained not out along with Mosaddek Hossain on 34. Left arm spinner Taijul Islam picked up three wickets for the bowling side. Earlier North Zone declared the first innings on 492/9 where Naeem Islam was dismissed after adding

5TH BCL, 1ST RD, DAY 3 CENTRAL ZONE 224 and 198 ( Saqlain 3/39, Abul Hasan 3/42) lose to EAST ZONE 367 and 56/1 13.4 overs ( Liton Kumar 219) by nine wickets NORTH ZONE 492/9 dec (Naeem Islam 185) lead SOUTH ZONE 294/4 in 80 overs ( Fazle Mahmud 121*) by 198 runs nine runs to his overnight score of 185 off 475 balls with 13 fours and two sixes. Veteran left arm spinner Abdur Razzak picked up 5/185 and off spinner Sohag Gazi took two for South Zone. l

ULAB FAIR PLAY CUP

Stamford, Green University register wins n Tribune Report Stamford University registered win against North South University while Green University defeated South East University in the ongoing 10th ULAB Fair Play Cup Inter Private University Cricket Tournament yesterday. In the first game of the day, Stamford picked a nine-run victory over North South University. Batting first, riding on Saddam’s 35ball 44, Stamford posted 127 runs on the board losing nine wickets. Mehedi picked three wickets conceding 15 runs for North South. Chasing the target, North South failed to keep up with the run rate and was restricted on 118 for eight. Rakin scored 55 off 43 for North South. Green University defeated South East University by seven wickets in the second game of the day. Green University batted first and scored 136 runs losing nine wickets. In reply, Saiful’s unbeaten 50-ball 78 guided Green University to the shore in 18.1 overs losing three wickets. l

Sport

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Schweinsteiger Watford, Hull suffer Cup upsets, Man Utd through staying at n Reuters, London FA CUP United, says 1-0 Mourinho 1-0 n AFP, Manchester

One-time outcast Bastian Schweinsteiger appears to be back in favour with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who insisted Sunday the World Cup winner was staying at Old Trafford despite having yet to appear in the Premier League this season. The 32-year-old former Bayern Munich lynchpin started his first game in over a year on Sunday and scored his first goal since November 2015. "He is staying," said Mourinho of a player he had banished to train away from the first team earlier in the season. "He is going on our Europa League list because we have opened spaces with (Memphis) Depay and (Morgan) Schneiderlin (leaving) and we don’t have many players," Mourinho coach explained. "We don’t have many options in midfield. Ninety minutes today was probably too hard for him but now I think he is happy. With so many competitions and games, he will be an option." After captaining Germany to the semi-finals at Euro 2016, Schweinsteiger then married Ana Ivanovic before finding himself frozen out at Old Trafford. But Schweinsteiger has prompted Mourinho, who at one point sent him to play with the club's Under-23s, to re-evaluate with Sunday's performance a tonic of sorts for a player with 500 appearances for Bayern. l

Premier League clubs Watford and Hull City, and Championship side Leeds United paid the penalty for fielding weakened teams when they were all knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth round on Sunday -- but holders Manchester United won comfortably. Like Liverpool, beaten at home by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, the three beaten sides miscalculated in resting so many players ahead of league games in midweek and could have no complaints at going out of the competition. Yet United went through, winning 4-0 despite making nine changes at home to Wigan Athletic, who are in the bottom three of the

Sutton

Leeds

Collins 53-pen

Millwall

Watford

Morison 85

Fulham

4-1

Hull

Aluko 17, Martin 54, Sessegnon 66, Johansen 78

Man United

Goebel 49

4-0

Wigan

Fellaini 44, Smalling 57, Mkhitaryan 74, Schweinsteiger 81

and Henrikh Mkhitaryan before Schweinsteiger added United's fourth. Millwall, who beat another understrength Premier League team, Bournemouth, in the previous round, fully deserved the win

earned for them with a goal by Steve Morison in the 85th minute. Watford's manager Walter Mazzarri had made seven changes, leaving experienced players like captain Troy Deeney and midfielders Etienne Capoue and Tom Cleverley among the substitutes. They also lost goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon to injury just before halftime. Manager Neil Harris felt his mid-table League One team fully deserved their victory over a side 40 places above them. Former European Cup finalists Leeds, out of the top flight of English football since 2004, fielded almost a complete reserve team on the artificial pitch at Sutton and found the non-Leaguers, 84 places below them, too strong. l

Manchester United’s Bastian Schweinsteiger (C) scores their fourth goal against Wigan Athletic during the FA Cup Fourth Round match at Old Trafford on Sunday

Shaky Dortmund leak late equaliser n AFP, Berlin Borussia Dortmund conceded a late goal in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's low-key Bundesliga return on Sunday in a 1-1 draw at Mainz which cost them third place in the table. Aubameyang, the German league's top scorer with 16 goals, was back in Dortmund's starting line-up following Gabon's groupstage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, but he had just two shots on goal in Mainz. Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel had lamented their shaky defence after last Saturday's scrappy 2-1 win at Bremen and they again looked unstable at the back. This was Dortmund's fourth draw in their last five league games. "If you don't want to defend consistently, then something like that can happen," said Dortmund's

Championship. Leeds, fourth in the Championship and giving greater priority to returning to the Premier League after a 13-year absence, lost 1-0 to Sutton United, who joined fellow fifth-tier National League club Lincoln City in the last 16. It is the first time two nonLeague clubs have progressed that far since the competition was reorganised more than 90 years ago. At Old Trafford, Marouane Felliani broke Wigan's dogged resistance in the 43rd minute by heading in a cross from former German international Bastian Schweinsteiger, making a rare appearance. Anthony Martial, criticised by manager Jose Mourinho last week, then set up goals for Chris Smalling

PSG denied by Monaco in extra time n Reuters, Paris

BUNDESLIGA 2-1

Hertha Berlin

Haberer 39, Petersen 87

Schieber 88

1-1

Dortmund

Freiburg Mainz Latza 83

Reus 3

POINTS TABLE Teams

P W D

REUTERS

L GD Pts

Bayern Munich18 14 3

31 45

RB Leipzig

18 13 3

20 42

Frankfurt

18 9

Dortmund

18 8

Hoffenheim

18 7 10

captain Marcel Schmelzer. Last season's runners up are now fourth -- fourteen points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich, who won 2-1 at Werder Bremen on Saturday thanks to goals by Arjen Robben and David Alaba. l

Champions Paris St Germain failed to raise to the occasion as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ligue 1 leaders Monaco at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. Bernardo Silva's stoppage-time goal cancelled out Edinson Cavani's late penalty, allowing Monaco to stay top of the standings with 49 points from 22 games. They lead Nice, who beat En Avant Guingamp 3-1 earlier on Sunday, on goal difference, and PSG by three points. Monaco were the better team but could not make their superiority count, with Radamel Falcao and Fabinho both being denied by saves from Kevin Trapp. PSG stepped up a gear after the hour and Djibril Sidibe brought down Julian Draxler in the box with Cavani sealing the win for the hosts from the spot with his 21st league goal, and his 29th in all com-

LIGUE 1 3-1

Nice

Guingamp

Plea 11, Seri 38, Balotelli 87

Toulouse

Briand 63

0-3

Saint-Etienne Roux 9-pen, 67-pen, Monnet-Paquet 55

Paris SG

1-1

Monaco

Cavani 81-pen

Silva 90+2

POINTS TABLE Teams

P W D

L GD Pts

Monaco

22 15 4

Nice

22 14 7

23 49

Paris SG

22 14 4

26 46

Lyon

21 12

15 37

Saint-Etienne 22 8

43 49

petitions, this season. As PSG seemed to be heading towards a lucky win, Silva was allowed space to advance and hit a low shot from 25 metres to beat Areola and hand Monaco a deserved draw two minutes into in-

jury time. Monaco host Nice next weekend with PSG travelling to Dijon. Earlier, Nice were too strong for Guingamp as they briefly moved back to the top of the table. A week after being the victim of racist abuse by Bastia fans, Mario Balotelli sealed a straightforward win. Alassane Plea put the hosts ahead after a fine one-two with Valentin Eysseric in the 11th minute. Jean Seri doubled the lead after being set up by Vincent Koziello seven minutes before the break. Former France international Jimmy Briand reduced the arrears in the 63rd minute with an angled shot, but Balotelli wrapped it up for Nice three minutes from fulltime after collecting a through ball from Arnaud Souquet. Olympique Lyonnais, who have a game in hand, are fourth on 37 points after slumping to a 2-1 home defeat to Lille on Saturday. l

Sport

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Morgan to voice umpiring concerns to match referee

SERIE A

Ilicic 17, Chiesa 50, Kalinic 62

Crotone

STAR SPORTS HD 2 1:35 AM Premier League 2016/17 Burnley v Leicester City

STAR SPORTS HD 4 1:35 AM Premier League 2016/17 Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur

STAR SPORTS SELECT HD 1 1:50 AM Premier League 2016/17 Liverpool v Chelsea

STAR SPORTS SELECT HD 2 1:35 AM Premier League 2016/17 Arsenal v Watford

TEN 1 1:45 AM Sky Bet EFL 2016/17 Brentford v Aston Villa

Genoa Simeone 57, 86-pen, Hiljemark 59

4-1

Empoli

Stoian 24, Mchedlidze 39 Falcinelli 56, 90+1-pen, 90+2

Cagliari

1-1

Bologna

Borriello 90+2

Sassuolo

Destro 64

0-2

Juventus

Higuain 9, Khedira 25

Udinese

2-1

Thereau 31, De Paul 73

Napoli

AC Milan Bonaventura 8

1-1

Mertens 66

Palermo Nestorovski 6

POINTS TABLE

India won by five runs

1:40 AM Premier League 2016/17 AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace

Roma Peres 5, Dzeko 66

3-3

Fiorentina

INDIA 144 for 8 (Rahul 71, Pandey 30; Jordan 3-22) ENGLAND 139 for 6 (Stokes 38, Root 38, Nehra 3-28)

FOOTBALL

3-2

Praet 20, Schick 71, Muriel 73

BRIEF SCORES

STAR SPORTS HD 1

Petagna 66

Sampdoria

Eoin Morgan has lashed out at the umpiring standards in England's five-run loss to India in a Twenty20 international on Sunday, the captain saying his side would report their concerns to the match referee. Chasing 145 to take an unassailable 2-0 lead, England needed eight runs from the final over but paceman Jasprit Bumrah held his nerve, conceding just two runs while claiming two wickets as India squared the three-match series.

DAY’S WATCH

Atalanta

Falqué 16

n Reuters, Mumbai

Set batsman Joe Root was given out leg before off the first ball of the over despite edging the delivery onto his pads, and Morgan felt it had changed the outcome of the game. "There is extreme frustration, absolutely," Morgan told reporters. "It shifted momentum, first ball of the 20th over, losing a batsman who's faced 40 balls on a wicket that's not that easy to time, it is quite a hammer blow. It's proved very costly all things considered. A couple of decisions didn't go our way and we still should have won the game and that's a big positive for us. That we didn't, is disappointing." Morgan, frustrated by the same official earlier when Kohli survived what appeared to be a plumb lbw appeal, said England would raise the issue to match referee. l

1-1

Torino

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala (R) fights for the ball with Sassuolo defender Paolo Cannavaro during their Italian Serie A match at “Mapei Stadium” in Reggio Emilia on Sunday AFP

Teams

P W D

L GD Pts

Juventus

21 17 0

28 51

Roma

22 15 2

23 47

Napoli

22 13 6

23 45

Inter Milan

22 13 3

14 42

Lazio

22 12 4

10 40

Higuain strikes again for Juve as rivals flounder n Reuters, Milan Gonzalo Higuain scored his eighth goal in the last six league games to inspire Serie A leaders Juventus to a 2-0 win at Sassuolo on Sunday while their nearest rivals floundered. Second-placed Roma led twice before two goals in three minutes sent them to a 3-2 defeat at Sampdoria and Napoli were held 1-1 at home by lowly Palermo who were playing their first game under Diego Lopez, their fourth coach of the season. Juventus have 51 points from 21 games, with Roma on 47 and Napo-

li in third on 45. The Turin side also have a game in hand as they move closer to a sixth consecutive title. Higuain set Juventus on their way to a comfortable win by getting ahead of his marker to head in Alex Sandro's cross after nine minutes, taking his tally for the season to fifteen. The Argentine set up Juve's second when he dispossessed Paolo Cannavaro and provided a low cross which was turned in by Sami Khedira after 25 minutes. Edin Dzeko's 66th minute goal appeared to put Roma on course for a win as they led 2-1 at Sampdoria but Patrik Schick levelled five

minutes later with his first touch of the game, having come on as a substitute little more than a minute earlier. There was more drama two minutes later when Luis Muriel scored the winner with a deflected free kick. Francesco Totti's free kick was turned away by Christian Puggioni and Roma also had a penalty appeal turned down as they threw themselves forward Bruno Peres had given Roma a fifth-minute lead but his goal was cancelled out by Dennis Praet before halftime. Giovanni Simeone scored twice, the second a late penalty, as Genoa

Klopp seeks end of Liverpool slump, re-boot of title race n AFP, London For the first time since he arrived at Liverpool Jurgen Klopp is in the midst of a crisis to the extent that a win on Tuesday at home to Premier League leaders Chelsea is obligatory. The 49-year-old charismatic German -- who replaced Brendan Rodgers in November 2015 -- has seen his side knocked out of two Cup competitions inside a week and a further loss to Chelsea would be the first time since 1923 they have lost four successive games at Anfield and only the second time in their 125-year history. However victory over Antonio Conte's side would reduce the

EPL FIXTURES

Arsenal Liverpool Sunderland Bournemouth Burnley Middlesbrough Swansea

v v v v v v v

Watford Chelsea Tottenham Crystal Palace Leicester West Brom Southampton

gap between them to seven points whilst should Arsenal beat out of form Watford and their north London rivals Spurs beat bottom side Sunderland they would be just five and six points off the leaders respectively. Klopp, though, accepts some confidence has seeped away

from his side with just one win in eight games in January and the free-flowing, eye-catching football they were playing seems a distant memory. Conte's side arrive bursting with confidence and having safely navigated their way into the next round of the FA Cup depsite like Klopp making several changes to personnel. Since they lost consecutive Premier League games to Liverpool and Arsenal in September, they have won 17 of 19 games in all competitions since but perhaps face a pivotal week as regards the title race with Tuesday's game followed by a home match with Arsenal. l

fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 behind to draw 3-3 at Fiorentina. Josip Ilicic and Federico Chiesa had put Fiorentina 2-0 ahead but Genoa hit back with two goals in three minutes just before the hour, from Simeone and Oscar Hiljemark. Nikola Kalinic put Fiorentina back in front almost immediately but the Violets blew it when Federico Bernardeschi handled on the line, was sent off and Simeone, son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego, converted the penalty. Diego Falcinelli's hat-trick gave struggling Crotone a glimmer of hope with a 4-1 win over Empoli. l

Critics 'want me in jail', jokes Wenger n AFP, London

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger joked Sunday that his critics would only be truly happy if he was sent to prison as punishment for pushing a fourth official. "Those who don't like me, any sentence will be too lenient," said Wenger. "They would like to put me in jail somewhere without anything in the middle of winter -- and that will still be lenient. My reaction (to the ban) is what I said after the game. Let's not bring this situation back again. "I do not want to judge what the judge says. I got a sentence and I decided not to appeal just to get this behind me." l

Sport

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

IN NUMBERS

AUS V NZ, 1ST ODI NEW ZEALAND M. Guptill b Stoinis T. Latham c Handscomb b Starc K. Williamson c Maxwell b Stoinis R. Taylor b Head N. Broom c Starc b Faulkner C. Munro c Finch b Stoinis J. Neesham c Head b Hazlewood M. Santner c Maxwell b Cummins T. Southee c Faulkner b Cummins L. Ferguson not out T. Boult not out Extras (b8, lb5, w16)

R 61 7 24 16 73 2 48 7 0 3 16 29

Total (9 wickets; 50 overs)

286

146

B 73 9 34 24 75 6 45 19 2 6 7

146

Fall of wickets 1-13 (Latham), 2-87 (Williamson), 3-128 (Taylor), 4-130 (Guptill), 5-134 (Munro), 6-210 (Neesham), 7-246 (Santner), 8-251 (Southee), 9-269 (Broom)

Bowling Starc 10-0-59-1, Hazlewood 10-0-48-1, Cummins 9-0-67-2, Faulkner 6-0-29-1, Stoinis 10-0-49-3, Head 5-0-21-1 AUSTRALIA R A. Finch c Neesham b Boult 4 T. Head c Munro b Boult 5 S. Marsh st Latham b Santner 16 P. Handscomb c Latham b Southee 7 G. Maxwell c Latham b Ferguson 20 S. Heazlett c Latham b Ferguson 4 M. Stoinis not out 146 J. Faulkner b Munro 25 P. Cummins st Latham b Santner 36 M. Starc c Neesham b Santner 3 J. Hazlewood run out (Williamson) 0 Extras (lb2, w12) 14 Total (all out; 47 overs)

B 7 15 21 7 24 11 117 49 28 3 0

280

Fall of wickets 1-9 (Finch), 2-10 (Head), 3-18 (Handscomb), 4-48 (Marsh), 5-54 (Maxwell), 6-67 (Heazlett), 7-148 (Faulkner), 8-196 (Cummins), 9-226 (Starc), 10-280 (Hazlewood) Bowling Southee 10-0-63-1, Boult 9-0-58-2, Ferguson 10-0-44-2, Santner 10-1-44-3, Neesham 5-0-49-0, Munro 3-0-20-1 Toss: Australia

Marcus Stoinis' score at No. 7 - the second highest in that position in ODIs. It was the highest for Australia, though, passing James Faulkner's 116 against India in Bangalore. and 3-49 Stoinis was the first Australian cricketer to score a hundred and take three or more wickets in an ODI. Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson came close when they scored a century and took two wickets. Higher score than Stoinis' 146 by a batsman at No. 6 or lower coming in earlier than Stoinis did: Kapil Dev's 175 against Zimbabwe. Kapil came to bat when India were 17 for 5 and helped India score 266. Stoinis started his innings when Australia were 54 for 5 and helped Australia score 280. Stoinis' sixes in his 146 - the second most in an innings for Australia and joint second while chasing in an ODI. Stoinis' 11 were the most sixes by a batsman in defeat. Partnerships of 50 or more in ODIs in which one batsman made no runs. Hazlewood made 0 in the stand of 54 with Stoinis for the tenth wicket at Eden Park. Kemar Roach had made 0 in a stand of 51 against India in 2013, and Romesh Kaluwitharana had made 0 in an opening stand of 70 against Pakistan in 1996. The last time a batsman at No. 7 or lower made more than 50% of the team's runs: Stoinis scored 146 out of Australia's 280.

Australia’s last batsman Josh Hazlewood was run out by a direct throw from New Zealand captain Kane Williamson during their first one-day international at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday AFP

Aussies fall to NZ despite Stoinis heroics n AFP, Auckland New Zealand scraped home in the first one-dayer against Australia yesterday, but only after rookie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis' fell agonisingly short of dragging his team to victory with an unbeaten 146. In just his second ODI, Stoinis took three wickets then flayed the New Zealand attack as the Australians chased a target of 287 runs at Auckland's Eden Park. He came to the crease with Australia reeling at 54 for five and calmly set about rebuilding after

his more experienced teammates had squandered their wickets. His 146 was a record ODI score for an Australian number seven batsman and included 11 sixes and nine fours. Remarkably, the 27-year-old's last partnership with Josh Hazlewood was worth 54, but Hazlewood did not face a single ball as Stoinis stayed on strike trying to guide Australia home. His heroics prevented a trouncing in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, sparing Australia's blushes after they rested their star batsmen for the series.

The tourists left David Warner and Usman Khawaja out of the squad to protect them for the upcoming Test series in India, then lost captain Steve Smith and wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade to injury. But the players expected to offer leadership in their absence failed to step up and the Australians crumbled before Stoinis arrived. Relative newcomers such as Travis Head (5) and Peter Hanscomb (4) could be forgiven for a rush of blood to the head at the sight of the short Eden Park boundaries. l

11 3

1999

Madrid extend lead as Barca, Sevilla slip-up n AFP, Madrid Real Madrid extended their La Liga lead to four points and still have a game in their hand over their title rivals as star forward Cristiano Ronaldo was on target in a 3-0 win over Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu. Earlier on Sunday, Barcelona were left to rue La Liga's lack of goal line technology as they weren't awarded a clear goal in a controversial 1-1 draw at Real Betis. However, Barca still moved up to second on goal difference as Sevilla were reduced to 10 men after just two minutes in a 3-1 defeat at Espanyol. Madrid had won only one of their previous five games and were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Celta Vigo in midweek. However, even without six firstteam regulars through injury, Real took a huge step towards a first La

LA LIGA Real Betis

1-1

Barcelona

Alegria 74

Luis Suarez 90

3-1

Sevilla

Reyes 3-pen, Navarro 45+2, Moreno 71

Jovetic 19

2-1

Sporting Gijon

Espanyol

Athletic Bilbao

Muniain 50, Aduriz 71-pen

Real Madrid

Cop 27-pen

3-0

Real Sociedad

Kovacic 38, Ronaldo 51, Morata 83

POINTS TABLE Team

P W D

L GD Pts

Real Madrid

19 14 4

34 46 34 42

Barcelona

20 12 6

Sevilla

20 13 3

15 42

Atletico

20 10 6

18 36

Sociedad

20 11

Liga title for five years against an in-form Sociedad, who remain just one point off the top four in fifth. l

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) shoots to score in front of Real Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli during their Spanish league match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Sunday AFP

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Spruce (6) 5 Joke (3) 7 Of the country (5) 8 Fields of conflict (6) 10 Secret agent (3) 12 Quick (4) 13 First woman (3) 14 Whirl (4) 16 Employ (4) 17 Distant (3) 18 Storm (4) 20 Insane (3) 23 Degrades (6) 24 Not discourteous (5) 25 Precious stone (3) 26 Free from (6)

DOWN 1 Expensive (4) 2 Like better (6) 3 Efface (5) 4 Corrosion (4) 5 Fuel (3) 6 High mountain (3) 9 Part of a church (4) 11 Japanese currency (3) 14 Long detailed story (4) 15 Quickly (mus) (6) 16 Actor who overacts (3) 17 Myth (5) 18 Attack (4) 19 Employed (4) 21 Top airman (3) 22 Somewhat dark (3)

Downtime

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 11 represents W so fill W every time the figure 11 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. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Showtime

Screen Actors Guild Awards announced n Showtime Desk The 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards honoured acting achievements in film and television in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Emma Stone was the lone representative for award season juggernaut La La Land, while Hidden Figures and Fences picked up some momentum with their wins. TV shows and actors also had a big night with Stranger Things getting its due alongside Orange Is the New Black, which took home the SAG Awards in the major TV categories. Here’s a look at the complete list of winners:

FILM:

Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep Male Actor in a Comedy Series: William H Macy, Shameless

Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Orange is the New Black Female Actor in Drama Series: Claire Foy, The Crown Male Actor in Drama Series: John Lithgow, The Crown Ensemble in a Drama Series: Stranger Things Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Bryan Cranston, All the Way Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series: Game of Thrones Lifetime Achievement Award: Lily Tomlin l

turmoil during a film shoot or release...i understand Sanjay’s emotion at this point...I stand by him.” Anurag Kashyap: “Can once the whole film industry come together and take a stand, and refuse to be a pony that all bullshit and bullshitters ride on?? At the same time Shame on you Karni Sena, you make me feel ashamed to be a Rajput.. bloody spineless cowards ..” Huma Qureshi: “Shocked by the attack on #SanjayLeelaBhansali ... Shame! These hooligans must be stopped .. who gives them the right to behave like this... Who has made these ‘gundas’ the upholders of my country’s morality and history .. my India is not so parochial #SanjayLeelaBhansali” Uday Chopra: “It’s a movie guys. You get that? Let me say it again, it’s a movie! Get over your shit! Really upset to hear about Sanjay Leela Bhansali.” Nikhil Advani: “We all praised and lauded #MerylStreep and her speech. We must all stand by #SanjayLeelaBhansali. #RuleOfLaw” Ashutosh Gowariker: “Shocking! Appalling!! Despairing!!! And still, we shall

not stop making what we want to!! Sanjay stay strong! I am with you! #Padmavati” Ram Gopal Varma: “Bhansali is an artiste and if any country cannot protect its artistes from street hooligans it doesn’t deserve to be called a country... It’s a joke film makers have issues with censor board. Bhansali incident proves any dog,monkey nd even donkey can become censor board” Anubhav Sinha: “SHOCKING!!! I hope Sanjay Bhansali is safe. Ideally this should have been prevented. But they should certainly be punished.” Ashoke Pandit: “I condemn the attack on #SanjayLeelaBhansali on the sets of #Padmavati in #Jaipur. We’re concerned about his & the entire unit’s wellbeing.” Milap Zaveri: “Disgraceful and shocking. The film industry is such an easy target for these publicity seeking hooligans. #StandBySLB” Rohit Roy: “What the hell is this?? #SanjayLeelaBhansali attacked on set in Jaipur!! Goodness, heights of hooliganism!” Among them Anurag Kashyap receives backlash after calling Sanjay Leela Bhansali attackers “Hindu terrorists.”l

Cast in a Motion Picture: Hidden Figures Female Actor in a Leading Role: Emma Stone, La La Land Male Actor in a Leading Role: Denzel Washington, Fences Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Viola Davis, Fences Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: Hacksaw Ridge

TELEVISION:

PHOTOS: REUTERS

Assaulting Sanjay and the aftermath n Showtime Desk Sanjay Leela Bhansali was slapped and assaulted by Rajput Karni Sena workers. The protestors staged a protest at Jaigarh fort in Jaipur and stalled the film shoot. And now, recent reports claim that the team of Padmavati, including Bhansali, has wrapped up their disrupted shoot and is now planning to carry on with the shoot in Mumbai. In the aftermath of the violent incident, Bhansali packed up and left the site where he was shooting. He has now even clarified that his film Padmavati does not contain any “dream sequence or objectionable scene” between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilj. The five persons arrested were released as no formal complaint regarding Friday’s incident at Jaigarh Fort was made, Amber police station’s Station House Officer (SHO) Narendra Kumar told The Hindu. Ranveer, Deepika and Shahid were not present on the sets when the incident took place. After Friday’s incident, Bhansali has decided to stop shooting for Padmavati in the area.

PHOTOS: BOLLYWOOD LIFE

Meanwhile, Bhansali has decided to pack up and cancel shooting at the fort. The protestors said that the film features a love scene between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmavati, played by Ranveer and Deepika, respectively. They want Bhansali to delete all such scenes from the film. Meanwhile Bollywood celebs expressed anger and frustration at the incident. Different celebrities posted the following from their social media pages: Priyanka Chopra: “It’s appalling to hear what happened to #SanjayLeelaBhansali .im so saddened..Violence is not what our forefathers taught us..”

Kabir Khan: “1st they stop release of films..now they r trying to stop films from being made. Attack on #SanjayLeelaBhansali is SHAMEFUL #IstandbySLB” Boman Irani: “Disturbed and saddened at what happened to #SanjayLeelaBhansali . Inaction will only embolden others....and that’s Anarchy.” Sonam Kapoor: “What happened on Padmavati sets is appalling and heinous. Is this the state of the world?” Karan Johar: “Am appalled at what has happened with Sanjay Bhansali....this is the time for all us as an industry to stand by our people and fraternity!! Having been through many instances of

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Manveer is the ultimate man of Bigg Boss 10 Manveer impressed fans and critics alike with his determination and grit when he ignored all physical pain during a task and never resorted to breaking rules for the sake of winning. Manveer had his own share of rough experiences when he fought with Rohan Mehra, Swami Om and even Monalisa. However, he did not let any of the fights derail his usual behaviour with everyone.

n Showtime Desk Colors TV reality show Bigg Boss 10 has finally got its winner – the commoner contestant, Manveer Gurjar. The desi lad walked home with the Bigg Boss 10 trophy and the winning amount of Rs 40 lakh. Manveer defeated Bani J with the difference of only a few votes. The former Roadie gave tough competition to Manveer, and the two were going neck to neck in the finale race. However

Step Up HBO, 9:30pm Mac, Skinny and Tyler leave a party to break into an art school. They damage many of the props there. The guard is about to catch them when Tyler helps the other two escape and takes the blame. He is sentenced to 200 hours of community service at the school. During his job, he meets Nora, a dance student. He learns a few steps and later shows his friends the ballet steps while mixing them with break-dance. Cast: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Mario, Drew Sidora, Alyson Stoner

at the end, Manveer walked away with the trophy. Manveer Gurjar, who grew up in Noida and owns a dairy farm, won over millions of Bigg Boss fans. Living up to the tag line of the tenth season – Indiawaalo ise apna hi ghar samjho, Manveer was announced the winner Sunday evening. Manveer’s real name is Manoj Kumar Baisoya. His journey inside the house has been one that was dignified and fun-filled.

The Devil Wears Prada Star Movies, 9:30pm Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling novel about a young woman who stumbles into the hectic worlds of high fashion and publishing now gets an all-star treatment. Andrea “Andy” Sachs is a bright young woman who has just graduated from college and wants to work as a writer. She has applied for a job at Runway, America’s most prestigious fashion journal. Though Andy has no interest in fashion, it is the only magazine in New York with a job opening. Her position is second assistant to the magazine’s ice-cool editor, Miranda Priestly. Once she lands the job, Andy quickly learns that Miranda is a diva with plenty of power. Cast: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci

n Showtime Desk

PHOTO: COURTESY Hasan. Soon, Bart Nandit Areng and Dio Haque joined in to make the band complete. Shortly afterwards, they came up with “ISD,” their first single and an

WHAT TO WATCH

Manveer’s act is even more appreciable as the prize money was reduced to Rs 40 lakh from Rs 50 lakh during this season. But still, the winner decided to give half of the winning amount to charity. As per the reports, Manveer will donate around Rs 20 lakh to Salman Khan’s Being Human foundation. Earlier, Bigg Boss 9 winner, Prince Narula had also donated Rs 5 lakh to Salman’s Being Human charity.l

Indalo set to release new music video Bangladeshi rock band Indalo is all set to come up with a new music video of their song “Plastic.” The song, of which lyrics are penned by Zubair Hasan, was released in the band’s debut studio album Kokhon Kibhabe Ekhane Ke Jane. Jon Kabir, guitarist and lead singer, told Showtime about theme of the music video saying, “Just another music video but it's gonna be a little old fashioned.” “It’s costly, dark in theme and we had a lot of fun doing it,” he added. The filming of music video took place at Savar while Marib Alam helped to get the video wrapped up. It will be released on Indalo’s official YouTube channel on February 13. Jon Kabir also revealed that the band is currently working on a single, which will probably come out in a month or so. Indalo was initialy formed in 2012 with Jon Kabir and Zubair

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anthem in the underground rock scene, along with “Antonogor,” a song that deals with the subject of global instability. In September, 2015, the band

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AL goons in land grab fest at Rampal project Alam Durjoy, back from n Nure Rampal Around two-thirds of the 555-hectare land acquired by the government from the locals for a controversial coal-fired power plant at Rampal has apparently been handed over to local leaders and ruling party men to make money. As soon as the land was handed over to the Rampal plant authorities in 2012, a section of local Awami League leaders including the district administrator started using it to farm fish – thanks to a local lawmaker. Some of the land owners evicted from the land were given a lump sum amount, while many others have allegedly got nothing as compensation. The Dhaka Tribune has learnt about these developments during a recent visit to the site where the 1,320MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Project is under construction beside the Pashur River and the Sundarbans mangrove forest. The government on July 22, 2016 signed the deal for the construction of the plant, disregarding outcry from local and international green groups and experts. Dismissing the claims of the opponents, the Bangladesh government says it will take necessary measures to mitigate the environmental hazards. But of the total acquired land -fenced off from the rest of the area -- the power plant is being set up on an area of only about 241 hectares. The ruling party men have started farming inside the fence on the land left unused by the plant authorities. According to locals, those involved are the Rampal sadar upazila chairman who is also secretary of Rampal Awami League; the chairman of Rajnagar Union Parishad; the chairman of Gourambha Union Parishad who is also AL secretary of Gouramva unit; a former chairman of Gouramva; and the Bagerhat district council administrator. During an interview with the Dhaka Tribune at his office last year, Rajnagar UP chairman Sarder Abdul Hannan Dablu said: “We played a key role when the land was acquired for the plant. We stopped the groups of bandits who came to the village and staged movements and long march against the power plant. “We will use this land until the implementation of the project ...We work following the instructions of Talukder Saheb [Talukder

Two huts has been built for caretakers appointed by local Awami League leaders for their fish enclosures beyond the structures inside the boundary of Rampal power plant DHAKA TRIBUNE Abdul Khaleque MP].” Gourambha Union Parishad chairman Gias Uddin Gazi, also admitted that they were working for the lawmaker. “I am not interested in fish farming. I want the project work to continue smoothly. We are here all the time to protect the plant. Our leader [Talukdar] only uses us for protecting the plant, while we are determined to protect it at the cost of our lives.” He also took credit for deploying hundreds of party men to foil movements in the past. “We did not need the police at that time,” Gazi told the Dhaka Tribune. When contacted over the phone last year, Rampal Upazila Chairman Jamil Hasan Jamu denied being involved in farming on the project land. “I do not usually go there. I go there only when a minister or a secretary visits the site. The allegations are false.” He added that the chairmen and members of Rajnagar and Gourambha union parishads knew about the farming. “I do not know anything,” Jamu claimed. Former Gourambha chairman Selim Sarder claimed that he had been involved in farming shrimps on the land in the past, but not any more. Bagerhat district council administrator Sheikh Kamaruzzaman Tuku said he had ghers (enclosures) two years back. “Locals may cultivate fish in the ghers now. But I do not know what exactly is happening there,” he claimed.

“As far as I know we have not received any complaint from the power plant authorities about land grabbing,”said Bagerhat deputy commissioner Md Jahangir Alam. “No land of the power plant has been grabbed,” he claimed. Talukdar Abdul Khalek MP could not be reached over the phone despite several attempts to contact him then. On January 27, the Dhaka Tribune tried again to contact him, but his phone was found turned off. Debadatta Ray, AGM (Elect & C & I) of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt) Ltd, told this newspaper that he had no idea about the fish farming on a part of the project land. The government has recently dropped its plan to set up a second 1,320MW plant beside the existing one. However, a private firm is constructing another coal-based power plant nearby.

Scary Rampal

The residents of Rampal would not respond easily when a stranger asks them anything about the project. They are evidently scared of something. There are very few people who talk about protecting the Sundarbans. When approached for interviews, many of them refused to talk on record, fearing reprisal. They even warned this reporter to hide the camera from the proplant elements. There are many incidents of party cadres physically harassing the activists and jour-

nalists at Rampal and snatching of pens, cameras, mobile phones, etc. It is not allowed for the locals to visit the project site. The local police declared ban on gatherings on at least 14 occasions.

More to be grabbed

The road to the project site from Mongla-Khulna highway through a vast wetland is still under construction. This low-lying land where locals used to cultivate fish is connected to the Pashur River. It was learned that the constructors set up an embankment on an estuary called the Moidara River near the entrance of power plant site. It bars the river current and tide resulting in floods that damage the fish farms of some nearby villages under Rajnagar and Gourambha unions. It has been happening for the last three months, local people said. They alleged that nearly 200 hectares of land on the south part of the project site was under the

authority of Dablu Chairman while around 280 hectares on the north was controlled by several other ruling party leaders. Amar Mistry, a resident of Moidara village near the power plant, was seen preparing his tiny land for sowing paddy seeds. “I do not want to talk about the project. But I doubt whether there will be any dolphin left in the Pashur River once the plant starts operation,” he said showing the reporter a big one swimming in the river. “They [security guards] gave me ultimatum to leave this place within seven days. If I do not leave, they will destroy my little house,” said a 46-year-old landless woman living on a small piece of government land near the boundary. On the other hand, it was seen that a vast land which had earlier been used as a fishing zone was being filled with sand brought from the river through two dredgers. It is the Orion Group authorities that bought some 120 hectares (750 bighas) of land from the local people for setting up a 566MW coalfired power station. PSP Marine Service has been tasked with the land filling work, its Accounts Officer Khorshed Alam told the Dhaka Tribune. Many of the evicted people now live in Borni village under Gouramva Union. Requesting to be anonymous, a 55-year-old man alleged that the authorities had taken his 2.4 hectare (15 bighas) land but paid only a paltry sum as compensation. MA Sabur Rana, member secretary of Mongla-Ghosiakhali Channel Rokkha Committee and member of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said livelihood of the people living in and around the project area had changed drastically after the land acquisition. Hundreds of people lost their fertile paddy fields and fish farms as the government had selected a natural wetland for the project, he added. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com