UN: Over one million migrants reached Europe shores in 2015n AFP, Geneva, Switzerland

More than one million migrants and refugees reached Europe this year, including over 970,000 who made the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday.

The new � gures, jointly released by the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), listed migrant arrivals in six European countries since January 1, with the vast majority of people -- 821,008 -- land-ing in Greece.

A total of 3,692 migrants died or disap-peared crossing the sea, IOM said.

“The number of people displaced by war and con� ict is the highest seen in Western and Central Europe since the 1990s,” the UN-HCR said, referring to the con� icts in the for-mer Yugoslavia that decade.

Half of those who made it to Europe this year were Syrians � eeing their country’s bru-tal civil war, the UNHCR said, underscoring the con� ict’s dominant role in fuelling Eu-rope’s migrant crisis.

Afghans made up 20 percent of the group, while seven percent of arrivals were Iraqis.

After Greece, Italy received the second highest number of migrants, with 150,317 peo-ple reaching its territory this year, all by sea.

This marked a slight declined from 2014, when 170,000 people landed in Italy after crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.

Rounding out the group of European countries that saw migrant arrivals in 2015 was Bulgaria (29,959), Spain (3,845), Cyprus (269) and Malta (106).

“We know migration is inevitable, it’s nec-essary and it’s desirable,” said IOM chief Wil-liam Lacy Swing,

“But it’s not enough to count the num-ber of those arriving... We must also act,” he added, calling for “legal, safe and secure” mi-gration for those forced to leave their home country.

The total number of arrivals by sea in 2014 was about 219,000, according to the UN.

Re� ecting on the last 12 months, the UN-HCR criticised the “initial chaotic reaction” in parts of Europe to the � ood of migrants, but applauded signs that a more coordinated response was now emerging.

But a uni� ed EU positon remains elusive, with Hungary and Slovakia having made threats of legal action against the bloc’s con-troversial plan to distribute 160,000 refugees across the bloc. l

PAGE 15Fuel import likely at 70% higher cost

PAGE 32Home minister: Special security fo rchurches on Christmas

PAGE 3Blogger Rajeeb murder accused denies involvement

PAGE 24Insight: Assam’s border farmers fenced in by changing climate

PAGE 4Rooppur proposal goes to cabinet committee

SECOND EDITION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 | Poush 9, 1422, Rabiul Awal 10, 1437 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 247 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DHAKA JAIL INMATE PAGE 4

INDIA LOWERS JUVENILE TRIAL AGE PAGE 23

AUTORICKSHAW DRIVERS IGNORE METER FARE PAGE 3

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SomaliaPakistan

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IraqAfghanistan

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EC turns down BNP’s demandfor deployingarmyn Adil Sakhawat

The BNP yesterday urged the Election Com-mission to deploy military for the upcoming municipality polls, but the cheif election commissioner turned down the demand.

Yesterday, a BNP delegation, led by Abdul Moyeen Khan, a former minister and mem-ber of the party’s highest policymaking body – the standing committee, went to meet CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.

This comes a day after the party’s chief Khaleda Zia raised the demand while speak-ing at a programme in Dhaka.

“As this will tbe � rst ever municipality polls to be held under political banner, there is a new dimension,” Moyeen Khan told reporters after meeting CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.

Referring to media reports about escalat-ing pre-polls violence around the country, the senior BNP leader said there are fears that the level-playing � eld might be hampered.

Therefore, Khan said, the EC should con-sider deploying army for the polls in order to make sure that people go to the polling cen-tres and cast their votes without any fear.

Yesterday was the second time that a BNP delegation went to meet the CEC to disucss the elections. The last time the party went to the EC was on December 8 when they placed a demand for extending the election dateline.

However, CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said the current situation did not demand

PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Murder of foreigners boosts private security businessn Arifur Rahman Rabbi

Private security companies are experiencing a heightened demand for their services since the murder of two foreign nationals in the country a few months ago.

Bangladeshi organisations, mostly busi-ness houses and NGOs, are availing the pri-vate security services for the foreign nation-als that they invite to and host in the country for various purposes.

It is often more a question of having a sense of security than these private security providers’ capability of handling a real mil-itant attack situation, the management of the hiring organisations say, with security

escorts from law enforcement agencies not easily available.

Italian NGO worker Cesare Tavella and Japanese agriculturist Kunio Hoshi were

killed in similar fashion in Dhaka and Rang-pur respectively three months ago.

International militant group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for both the mur-ders, in which assailants came on motor-

bikes and shot the two victims. Police, how-ever, have ruled out IS’s involvement in the murders but are still to make any signi� cant breakthrough in investigation.

Private security companies said that there has been roughly a 20% increase in demand for their services since these two murders.

Brig Gen (retd) Aziz Sharif, managing di-rector of Elite Security Services Limited, told

the Dhaka Tribune: “The foreigners who come here want security, especially after the recent murders on foreigners. So, the organi-sations who invite them hire our personnel. That has boosted our business by about 20%.”

The Dhaka Tribune has learned that more than 500 private security companies of vari-ous sizes are currently operative in the coun-try. Of them, around 60 companies have formed the Bangladesh Professional Security Service Providers Association (BPSSPA).

Lt Col (retd) Khalid Azam, president of BPSSPA, said: “Demand for uniformed pri-vate security guards at foreign embassies, international organisations, local and foreign

PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

‘The private security providers are playing a huge role as the police’s strengths are not su� cient to deal with the current situation’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

News2DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

EC turns down BNP’s demandfor deployingarmydeployment of the army. He claimed that the commission had been doing everything needed to ensure a fair election and there-fore army deployment was not needed.

He also claimed that the commission had been taking actions against those election o� cials who are not performing their duties impartially or are showing negligence.

As the elections draw closer, the BNP has been alleging that its candidates and senior leaders in di� erent municipalities are being attacked.

When asked about these allegations, the CEC said: “In developed countries, no forc-es are deployed during elections. But in our country, military or police are kept on duty for a long time.”

Saying that political development was missing in the country, the CEC hoped that a time would come when elections would be held in congenial atmosphere. l

Murder of foreigners boosts private security businessinstitutions, residential buildings, banks, etc has been on the rise.”

He also said: “The private security service sector has come a long way in the last two decades. These service providers are capable of providing quality and standard services required in situations like this when foreign-ers need security.”

According to airport immigration and civ-il aviation authorities, around 800,000 to a million foreign nationals travel to Bangla-desh every year.

The Elite Security Services Limited pro-vided security for Paul Smith, chief executive o� cer of the global Chartered Financial Ana-lyst Institute, who came to Dhaka in the last week of November. They arranged two secu-rity guards and a gunman for Paul during his stay in Dhaka.

The company also provided similar secu-rity when a team of Google came to Dhaka in September.

Elite, one of the biggest private security providers in the country, have around 16,000 personnel. The Integrated Security Services Limited (ISSL), another big service provider,

has around 7,000 personnel.Most of the major private security provid-

ing companies are headed by retired army o� cials. The gunmen that these companies provide to their clients are also mostly re-tired personnel of various military and par-amilitary forces who have licensed � rearms.

For the regular security guards, most of the major service providers have their own training facilities. Some of them are now increasing their manpower to deal with the escalating demand.

Are the private security personnels capa-ble and trained enough to handle an attack on a foreign national?

The Dhaka Tribune asked this question to the proprietors of several private security providers but none of them gave any direct answer to this.

Seeking anonymity, an o� cial of big se-curity company said: “The foreigners are not accustomed to the lengthy procedures of availing security from law enforcement agen-cies. It is particularly di� cult because most foreigners stay here for a very short time.

“On the other hand, it is also di� cult for

police as well to provide security at the indi-vidual level. Considering all these, local or-ganisations are going to the private security companies,” he added.

For availing security from state agencies, one has to � rst apply to the police commis-sioner of the relevant area. If the commis-sioner sees the application � t, then he will forward the application to the relevant local police station with instructions for arranging security for the applicant. That usually takes a bit of time.

The Bangladesh Private Security Act was enacted in 2006. Later, another law passed in 2013 put the private security providers under the Ministry of Labour.

Security analyst Maj Gen (retd) Abdur Rashid said that the private security pro-viders are playing a huge role as the police’s strengths are not su� cient to deal with the current situation.

However, there is very little monitoring of the recruitment and veri� cation of these companies, particularly because some se-curity companies have done questionable things, he said. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presiding over a meeting of Executive Committee of National Economic Council in the NEC conference room yesterday FACUS BANGLA

PM: Country will go aheadn BSS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday ex-pressed her � rm optimism that Bangladesh would go ahead overcoming all obstacles with the united e� orts of the people of all religions.

“We have many obstacles. We must over-come the hurdles as we work for welfare of the people. These obstacles could not slow our pace of work,” she said seeking cooper-ation from all to move the country forward.

The prime minister said this while ex-changing Christmas greetings with members of the Christian community at her Ganab-haban residence.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is a secular country where people of every reli-gion would live peacefully. People of every religion, creed and colour took part in the War of Liberation and shed blood for inde-

pendence. “So the soil of Bangladesh is for the people of every religion.”

Sheikh Hasina said her party � rmly be-lieves that religion is for individuals but fes-tivals are for all. Everybody would perform religion freely and show honour to the reli-gions of others, and it is the spirit of our War of Liberation, she added.

The prime minister said every religion preaches peace. “So we want to establish peace for our prosperity. Our government is striving for peace and prosperity.”

Members of the Christian community wel-comed the prime minister with the Tagore song “Anandoloke Mongolaloke Birajo Satyo Sundara.”

The function began with recitation from the Bible by Bishop Paul Shishir Sarkar. Leaders of the Christmas community greeted the premier by presenting a bouquet of � owers. l

Death row ex-policeman dies at DMCHn Kamrul Hasan

Former Motijheel police station o� cer-in-charge AKM Ra� qul Islam, sentenced to death for the 2005 killing of a college stu-dent, died at the Dhaka Medical College Hos-pital last night.

He was taken to the hospital earlier in the evening after he had fallen ill at the Dhaka Central Jail, where he had been staying.

Ra� qul died around 11pm, con� rmed In-spector Mojammel Haque of the DMCH po-lice outpost. But the inspector could not im-mediately con� rm the cause of death or the kind of illness.

Ra� qul and two others were handed down the sentence in 2011 by a speedy trial tribunal

for killing Kamrul Islam Momin, a student of the Dhaka Commerce College.

Momin, 22, was shot dead near his resi-dence in the capital city’s Ibrahimpur area on September 13, 2005.

According to the statement of the case � led with Dhaka’s Kafrul police station, Ra� qul and his cohorts killed Momin over a family dispute centring the ownership and posession of land.

Six others were given life-term jail sen-tence in the same case. They, along with the two others on death row were hired by Ra� qul for the murder.

However, it could not be known until � ling of this report whether Ra� qul had appealed against his verdict with a higher court.l

Man killed over Tk500 disputen Tribune Report

A man was killed yesterday over a trivial dis-pute regarding Tk500 in borrowed money.

Twenty-three-year-old Ashek Alam, a peon for the Agriculture Ministry, died after his neighbour used a brick to bash his head at the capital’s Mugda Manda area.

Shah Alam, sub-inspector of Mugda police station, said the 19-year-old neighbour named Masum had earlier lent Tk500 to Ashek. An argument took place between the two when Masum asked for his money back yesterday, prompting Masum to attack Ashek with a brick.

Ashek, who lived with his wife in Manda Moddhopara area, was declared dead after lo-cals took him to the Mugda General Hospital.

Following the incident, Masum was held by the locals and handed over to the police, the SI added. l

Nahid: Ministry will ensure quality of textbooksn Tribune Report

The Education Ministry would slap � nes on the printing press owners if they use sub-standard papers for the free textbooks, Min-ister Nurul Islam Nahid said yesterday.

“If the quality is not satisfactory, the min-istry will � ne the printing press owners,” Na-hid told a press conference.

There has been delay in printing the books due to a con� ict between the World Bank and the press owners. The minister, howev-er, said that the new books would reach the students on time.

“Schools, madrasas, and technical and pre-primary schools will get new textbooks on the � rst day of the year,” the minister added. l

News 3D

TWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

This recent photo of Buriganga River shows the murky contaminated water that is polluting the surrounding areas. The photo was taken in the capital’s Sadarghat area SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Blogger Rajeeb murder accused denies involvementn Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

The seven accused including banned militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team chief Muf-ti Jasimuddin Rahmani yesterday claimed themselves “innocent” in the case � led over the killing of secular blogger Ahmed Rajeeb Haider in the capital in 2013.

Alleging that they were forced to give con-fessional statements before magistrates, the accused also claimed that they did not even know Rajeeb.

Mufti Jasim and his six followers – Faisal Bin Nayem alias Dweep, Maksudul Hasan alias Anik, Md Ehsan Reza alias Rumman, Nayem Sikdar alias Iraj, Na� s Imtiaz and Sad-man Yasir Mahmud – made the statements at the Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal 3.

After their statements, Judge Sayeed Ahamed � xed tomorrow for closing argu-ments hearing from both prosecution and defence in the sensational murder case. A to-tal of 35 out of 52 prosecution witnesses gave depositions in the case.

The seven followers of Mufti Jasim – all former students of North South University – had earlier made confessional statement in the case saying that they had vowed to kill “atheist bloggers” after reading Jasim’s books and listening to his sermons. They tar-geted Rajeeb “for his blog posts written un-der the nickname Thaba Baba.”

Mufti Jasim yesterday also told the court that he had no idea about the existence of Ansarullah Bangla Team, a group which sur-faced in 2013 with the murder of Rajeeb. The government banned the organisation in May this year.

Architect Rajeeb Haider, also an activist of the Shahbagh movement, was hacked to death in the capital's Pallabi on February 15, 2013. l

EC wants no motorised vehicle during pollsn UNB

The Election Commission has asked for is-suing restriction on the plying of all types of motorised vehicles from December 29 in the 234 municipal areas that will go to polls on December 30.

The modes of vehicles include auto-rick-shaw, taxicab, human haulier, microbus, jeep, pickup van, car, bus and truck.

Besides, the EC also sought restriction on movement of motorcycles for four days from December 27 midnight in the election areas.

The EC on Monday night sent letters to Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and Shipping Ministry asking them to take nec-essary steps to halt movement of motorised vehicles in the areas during the election to fend o� any untoward incident.

However, the restriction will be relaxed for the vehicles of the candidates and their agents, the local and foreign election observ-ers, and the law enforces based on permis-sion from the returning o� cers.

Ambulances, vehicles of � re service and those used for gas, electricity and telecom-munication will be out of the purview of the restriction. l

Autorickshaw drivers ignoring metered-faren Shohel Mamun

Less than two months after the new me-tered-fare system was introduced in the cap-ital, most CNG-run autorickshaw drivers are back to not following the fare system set by the government.

The government had increased the fare of CNG-run autorickshaws on September 10 which came into e� ect on November 1, with recalibrated meters installed in the autorick-shaws.

Autorickshaw drivers initially followed the government order, but with time, most of them have gone back to the old ways.

According a study of Bangladesh Passen-gers’ Welfare Association (BPWA), after the new fare system was introduced, almost 60% autorickshaw drivers charged fare by the me-ter in the � rst week of November, but the ma-jority of them asked for a tip of Tk10-30.

However, in the � rst week of December, the study found that only 34% of the drivers surveyed agreed to charge fare by the meter.

“We surveyed 760 autorickshaws drivers in November, and 1,756 drivers in December,” said Mozammel Haque, secretary general of the BPWA.

“Most drivers are not following the gov-ernment-approved metered-fare system; they are overcharging their passengers. This situation has risen again due to the lack of monitoring by the Bangladesh Road Trans-port Authority (BRTA). The su� erings of the passengers continue.”

This reporter went to the Panthap-ath-Green Road intersection yesterday and, posing as a passenger, tried to hire 10 CNG-

run autorickshaws; only three drivers agreed to go following the metered-fare system, while seven refused.

Ra� qul Islam, one of the drivers, agreed to follow the metered-fare system, but asked for an extra Tk20 as tips.

When asked why, he said: “I will have tea with it, if you don’t mind.”

Aslamuddin, another driver, said he would only go after agreeing to a fare be-cause his meter was out of order.

When asked why he has not � xed his me-ter yet, he said: “The owner is not � xing it.”

Nayeb Ali, another driver, said: “I have been taking passengers without the meter because the owner of this autorickshaw de-mands extra money for deposits than the rate � xed by the government.”

The daily deposit auto-rickshaw drivers pay vehicle owners has been � xed at Tk900 by the government.

“Many autorickshaw owners are earning almost double by charging extra deposits. We have � led a complaint with the BRTA in, but they have not taken any action yet,” said Mo-hammad Hanif, general secretary of Bangla-desh CNG Autorickshaw Workers’ Union.

Barkat Ullah Bulo, convener of Dhaka Autorickshaw Owners’ Association, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have already found that a number of owners are taking extra depos-its. But the number of such owners is not more than 100. They will be punished soon by the authorities concerned.”

BRTA Secretary Shawkat Ali said: “Mobile courts are still working against illegal fare charging in the city. Those who are charging extra fare will be duly punished.” l

Speaker to MPs: Help people with disabilitiesn BSS

Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury yesterday urged lawmakers alongside the other social groups to extend their hands for the welfare of people with disabilities including the autistic ones.

“We all have social obligations towards people with disabilities,” she said speaking as chief guest at a workshop on autism and neuro development disorder in the Sangsad Bhaban.

The Speaker said people with disabilities were part of society and it is the responsi-bility of all to extend cooperation and show compassion to them.

The parliament secretariat organized the workshop with the assistance of the parlia-mentary standing committee on social wel-fare ministry for the lawmakers.

National Autism A� airs Advisory Committee Chairperson and WHO mental health related committee member Saima Wazed Putul presented a keynote paper in the workshop.

She said autism is the outcome of neuro development disorder and autistic people were victims the menace as normal develop-ment of their brain is hampered.

She urged the MPs and all others to estab-lish the challenged children socially and turn them into human resources.

Deputy Speaker Advocate M Fazle Rabbi Mian, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare Ministry M Mozammel Hossain and also spoke on the occasion.

Leader of the Opposition Raoshan Ershad, Chief Whip ASM Firoze, whips and MPs took part in the workshop. l

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015News4D

T

$12.65bn Rooppur proposal goes to cabinet purchase committee today n Aminur Rahman Rasel

The Science and Technology Ministry will place a proposal for the construction and commissioning of the Rooppur Nuclear Pow-er Plant in Pabna at a meeting of the cabinet committee on public purchase today.

On December 15, the government � nalised the amount – $12.65bn – for the costliest pro-ject in the country’s history after signing an initial agreement with Russia.

“The power plant project was planned to meet the electricity demand and to enter into an era of nuclear energy. We forwarded the proposal for the approval of the cabinet committee on purchase and hopefully it will be placed before the committee [today],” Sci-ence and Technology Minister Yeafesh Os-man told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He said Russia would provide 90% of the credit at the London Interbank O� ered Rate

(LIBOR) plus 1.75%. Bangladesh will have to pay back the loan in 28 years with a 10-year grace period.

Out of the total amount, $10bn was � xed as the base price, $1bn for soil stabilisation and additional costs and the remaining $1.65bn for price escalation.

The additional cost is associated with the construction of four to � ve radiation stations outside the power plant area, hiring extra manpower for the construction of a jetty and road, and an extra year of fuel costs.

Russia will provide this for two years after commissioning. The rate of price escalation would be 2.5% until the construction of the plant is � nished.

An inter-governmental agreement for the provision of a $500 million Russian loan to � -nance engineering design, site development and personnel training was signed in January 2013. The loan will be repaid in 12 years with

a � ve-year grace period. The International Atomic Energy Agency

is closely involved in the project.On November 2, 2011, Bangladesh

and Russia signed an agreement for the installation of a nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Pabna.

Of the two-unit power plant with 1,200MW capacity each, the � rst unit is ex-pected to start operation by 2021 and the sec-ond unit by 2022.

The Rooppur nuclear plant will be con-structed using two VVER-1200 nuclear reac-tors that have a 60-year lifespan.

The VVER-1200 (Water-Water Energetic Reactor or WWER with 1,200MW capacity) is a “third generation plus” reactor.

Russia’s Novovoronezh Nuclear Pow-er Plant II is set to become the � rst plant to go into operation using VVER-1200 reactorthis year. l

BGB-BSF meeting postponed after Delhi plane crashn Tribune Report

The high-level meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh and India’s Border Secu-rity Force slated for today at the BGB Head-quarters was postponed yesterday afternoon.

The meeting was postponed a plane crash near the Delhi airport soon after it took o� yesterday morning. According to BGB, 10 people, including two DIG and an o� cial of the BSF, were killed in the accident that compelled the BSF chief, Devendra Kumar Pathak, to postponed the meeting.

A 10-member team of BSF reached Dhaka on Monday while another 13 members led by the BSF chief were set to reach yesterday.

Learning about the incident, BGB chief Abdul Aziz called his counterpart and ex-pressed condolence on behalf of the force.

According to a press release issued by the BGB yesterday afternoon, the next date for the meeting would be set later. l

A day in the life of a Dhaka jail inmaten Mohammad Jamil Khan and

Sanaul Islam Tipu

It is no less than a living hell to pass days in the Dhaka Central Jail, a former inmate said while sharing his experience.

Kabir Hossain (not his real name) served 58 days in the Dhaka Central Jail on charge of sodomy. He, who has very recently been freed, was put in Jamuna cell of the jail.

“You have to begin your day with an awful experience as you stand in a queue of over 200 men to respond to the call of nature,” he said.

Entering the toilet does not necessarily mean relief from a prolonged period of stress and strain. If the stay is more than only one and a half minutes, others waiting outside begin to hurl expletives and start kicking on the door.

“But if you have cigarettes or money in your pockets you can stay longer by bribing jail guards.”

Even taking a shower is like asking for a moon as water is a rare resource in the jail, says Kabir.

Around 15 small water storage containers serve a cell having at least 150 prisoners. Not everyone is lucky to have a shower every day.

“The quicker you can come out of the toi-let the more possibility is for you to get a bath and that too with a scanty amount of water. Very often you are to be satis� ed with water sprinkled over your body from others having showers.”

By the time the clock strikes 8am it is time for breakfast and again “if you have money you can have some fresh breads and lentil or else you have to eat insects-infested food”.

One can rule the roost if one has money: Tk2,500 a week paid to jail guards can earn one a pretty comfortable life in the jail and if it is in between Tk4,000 and Tk6,000 a week one can buy a heaven there.

Otherwise an inmate has to go through hell. Sometimes they have to even massage aching backs or legs of guards and obey their orders of odd jobs.

Kabir said the inmates, sentenced to life-time imprisonment, are the most in� uential persons called sardar physically abuse in-mates and very often force them to do the most odd jobs.

He said he had seen people being physi-cally abused by the cell chief or sardars.

Around 11am lunch, very often not prop-erly cooked and sometimes stale ones, is served. The dinner is given around 4pm as the jail guards close the door of the cells after that.

When asked about what happens if some-one is hungry at night he says, it was money that made jail guards to bring fresh food from the canteen or the shops from outside.

One can even bring food from home if jail guards are paid a hefty amount. “If you do not pay you can not even get a good sleeping place.”

Basically, the su� erings in jail start from the time a prisoner enters it. When a prisoner is put in jail he has to undergo a procedure known as Aamdani. As soon as a prisoner goes in he has to deposit all his belongings to the jail guards which is an utter violation of jail code and human rights, he said.

Aamdani stands for the word income meaning fresh prisoners are the source of in-come for those who have long been inmates.

Depending upon the money one can pay he is placed in a cell. “I was put in Jamuna cell, the best one in the jail, as I could pay a good amount to them.”

Asked about bribes, irregularities and lack of amenities inside the jail, Forman Ali, sen-ior jail super of Dhaka Central Jail, denied the allegations.

He told the Dhaka Tribune that they had no clue to bribes in the jail and if found they would immediately take action. l

Buses stop near the exit of Mayor Hanif Flyover in the capital’s Gulistan area to pick up passengers, creating tra� c congestion on the road often MEHEDI HASAN

PRAYERTIMES

Cox’s Bazar 26 19Dhaka 25 13 Chittagong 24 17 Rajshahi 25 14 Rangpur 23 10 Khulna 25 11 Barisal 26 16 Sylhet 24 9T E M P E R AT U R E F O R E C A S T F O R TO DAY

Source: Accuweather/UNB

D H A K ATODAY TOMORROW

SUN SETS 5:17PM SUN RISES 6:38AM

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW28.8ºC 6.3ºCTeknaf SrimangalWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23

Source: IslamicFinder.org

Fajr: 5:17am | Zohr: 11:58am Asr: 3:39pm | Magrib: 5:18pmEsha: 6:39pm

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015News 5

DT

LIGHT TO MODERATE FOG LIKELY

Six Shibir men heldn Tribune Report

Police on late Monday night detained six activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir with hand bombs in their possession from a residence in Rampura of the capital.

The detainees are Jakir Hossain, 23, Mo-hammad Sha� que, 25, Mohammad Rony, 25, Mohammad Rumman Hossain, 22, Moham-mad Ataur Rahman, 23, and Mohammad Ab-dul Quader, 24.

Rampura police station O� cer-in-Charge Ra� qul Islam yesterday said: “We conducted the drive at a residence in Jomidar Goli Lane of West Rampura following a tip-o� and de-tained them around 11:30pm Monday.”

He said police seized six hand bombs, two kilograms of explosive materials, two sets of police uniform, 20 books related to Jamaat-Shibir, 150 recruitment forms and a computer from their possession.

Police are suspecting that they were plan-ning to make explosives to carry out subver-sive activities on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. l

Report: Political commitment needed for social and economic growth in South Asian Tribune Report

A high level of political commitment is need-ed for South Asia to achieve its economic and social goals, and to sustain economic growth and advance towards human development, an international report stated.

The report made the observation after exploring whether economic success has provided employment opportunities for peo-ple, enhanced job quality, improved food security and reduced poverty and inequal-ities in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistanand Sri Lanka.

The report titled “Human Development in South Asia 2015 – The Economy and the People” was published by Pakistan-based Mahbub-ul-Haq Human Development Cen-tre, and presented yesterday at the capital’s Brac Inn Centre by Brac University’s Institute of Governance Studies (IGS).

The eighteenth edition of the report an-alysed the record of economic growth and human development in South Asia from 1980 to 2010 and addressed the issue of connection between economic growth andpeople’s lives.

According to the report, high economic growth has been complemented in South Asia by progress in health, education, mal-nutrition and population welfare over the last 30 years.

The increased economic growth in the region has resulted in more employment op-portunities, less poverty and hunger and im-provements in health and education.

However, there have been failures to use the resources generated by economic growth to enhance people’s lives.

As a result, poverty and hunger still pre-vails in South Asia, while access to education infrastructure remains insu� cient and inad-

equate, the report found.Speaking at the programme, International

Growth Centre (IGC) Bangladesh country economist Farria Naeem said GDP in South Asia has increased at an annual rate of 6% over the last three decades, making it one of the fastest growing economic regions of the world, second only to East Asia andthe Paci� c.

However, the region still needs to inte-grate economically by promoting deeper trade and transit arrangements and by devel-oping common trade infrastructure.

She recommended a strong political commitment to make employment crea-tion the main objective of a people-centredgrowth strategy.

She said the next 30 years should be about scaling up successful interventions through political ownership and community-driven initiatives to get all children in school and

make them learn e� ectively.Addressing the programme as special

guest, Dr Selim Jahan, director of Human Development Report O� ce at UNDP in New York, said the economic growth in this sub-region has tripled in the last three years, whereas the Human Development Index has gone up by only 1.5 times.

Economic growth has to work for im-provement of lives and people and therefore inclusive growth is required for human de-velopment, he said.

The inclusive growth should be a process where people can participate, people can be awarded for their contribution, and not destroy choices for future generation,he added.

“There have to be equity and opportuni-ty and The growth process has to be equi-table in terms of participation and bene� t,”he said. l

Gafargaon municipal election stayedn Tribune Report

The High Court yesterday stayed the process of holding elections to Gafargaon municipal-ity in Mymensingh for three months.

Responding to a writ petition by the sit-ting mayor regarding anomalies in area de-marcation, the bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan came up with the order. It ordered the Elec-tion Commission and the government to take steps to extend the municipality area. l

GCM keen on generating 19,000MW from coaln Aminur Rahman Rasel

GCM Resources, the parent company of Asia Energy, wants to be part of the government’s initiative to generate 19,000MW of electricity from coal by 2030, the company’s chairman said at the � rm’s annual general meeting in London.

GCM Resources Chairman Datuk Michael Tang said in his address on December 18 that the company was committed to working with Bangladesh to develop the Phulbari coal pro-

ject and associated power plants.Asia Energy has exploration licences and a

mining lease for the Phulbari coal basin and a contract for the exploration and mining of coal in northern Bangladesh.

“The government’s decision to move quickly with large scale coal-� red power is supported by the UN’s Human Development Report 2015 released last week,” Tang said.

Bangladesh’s path to middle-income status and beyond is through adding signi� cant power generation which will enable industrialisation

and create large-scale employment, he said.Tang, a Malaysian national, was re-elect-

ed unanimously by shareholders, said a GCM Resources press release.

GCM’s Chief Operating O� cer and the company’s representative in Bangladesh, Gary Lye, said although Bangladesh is vul-nerable to the e� ects of climate change, it is not itself a signi� cant emitter of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide. Per capita carbon dioxide emissions are substantially below other countries in the region, he said. l

Police escort six activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Shibir to Dhaka Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday. These Shibir men were arrested in a � at in the capital’s Rampura area on Monday night, with gun powder, hand bombs and police uniform in their possession RAJIB DHAR

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015News6D

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Members of Dhaka Reporters Unity form a human chain in front of National Press Club yesterday demanding immediate action to arrest the truck driver who ran over journalist Abdullah Al Faruk on the evening of December 12. Faruk later died in hospital on December 13 MEHEDI HASAN

SC stays HC order to accept BNP candidate’s nomination papern Tribune Report

The Supreme Court yesterday stayed a High Court order for six weeks that had directed the returning o� cer of Chhengarchar munic-ipality in Chandpur to accept nomination pa-per of a BNP nominated mayoral candidate.

The Appellate Division decision paved way for the Awami League candidate Ra� qul Alam to be declared as the mayor by issuing publish gazette noti� cation as there is no other candidates to contest him.

A vacation chamber judge of Justice Mu-hammad Imman Ali passed the order after hearing an appeal � led by Ra� qul Alam chal-lenging the High Court order.

On December 13, a High Court bench had directed the returning o� cer in Chandpur to accept the nomination paper of BNP-backed candidate Sarwarul Abedin. His nomination papers were not accepted by the returning o� cer on the grounds that there was a con-tradictory statement about his educational quali� cation.

Ra� qul’s lawyer Motahar Hossain Sazu said that now there would be no bar to pub-lish the gazette noti� cation, declaring the AL candidate as the municipal mayor following the order. l

American Alumni Association elects new presidentn Tribune Report

American Alumni Association (AAA) execu-tive council election for the terms 2016 and 2017 was held on Monday in the capital’s Gul-shan.

Syed Almas Kabir, CEO of MetroNet Bang-ladesh Limited, was elected as the president of the council.

Imtiaj Rasul, Consultant of Data Search, and Engineer Sha� ul Alam Talukder, CEO of Green Enterprise, were elected as the secre-tary and treasurer respectively.

Moushumi Shabnam and Ashik Imran Khan, both faculty members of North South University, were elected as members of the

executive council.The American Alumni Association is a

body of American college and university graduates. It recognises American graduates for their signi� cant achievements by award-ing them and also gives scholarships to US-bound students.

AAA also manages computer-based test-ing centre in Dhaka for students taking TOE-FL, GRE and US Medical Licensing Examina-tions for applying to American universities.

Mashiur Rahman, economic advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is the co-chair and founding president of AAA. US Ambas-sador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat is the other co-chair of AAA. l

Photojournalist mugged in cityn Tribune Report

A photojournalist working for a national dai-ly was mugged at gun point in the capital’s Segunbagicha area yesterday, as he was re-turning home after a four-day assignment to the Sundarbans.

The New Age newspaper’s international award-winning photographer, Sony Rama-ny, was robbed of over Tk3.85 lakh worth of equipment by gun and knife wielding assail-ants who made their getaway in a white car.

At least four muggers aged between 25 and 35 years, travelling in a white vehicle

with licence plate Dhaka Metro Ga 21-0403, stopped Sony near the Geological Survey De-partment in Segunbagicha as he was return-ing home in a rickshaw.

They threatened him with sharp weapons and � rearms and snatched away his Canon Mark-II camera, 100mm-400mm lens, cell phone, memory card, driving licence and other electronic gadgets worth a total of Tk3,85,550.

A case was � led with Ramna police sta-tion. Ramna police Crime Division Senior Assistant Commissioner SM Shiblee Noman said the police were working to arrest the criminals and recover the stolen valuables. l

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015News 7

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MUNICIPALIT Y POLLS 2015

MUNICIPALIT YPOLLS 2015

M U N I C I P A L I T Y P O L L S 2 0 1 5

M U N I C I P A L I T Y P O L L S 2 0 1 5

Taking a huge risk, a small boy climbs up an electric pole to put up the posters of a councillor candidate for the upcoming municipality polls in Station Road area in Kishoreganj yesterday afternoon DHAKA TRIBUNE

AL in tight spot over rebel candidate in Raozann Anwar Hussain, Chittagong

The nomination-deprived mayoral aspirant of the ruling party in Raozan municipality might put AL in a tight spot while the inter-nal dispute might appear as a boon for the BNP-nominated candidate in the municipali-ty polls slated for December 30.

Despite contesting on AL ticket in the forthcoming municipal polls, Debshish Palit, the mayoral candidate in Raozan municipal-ity has become somewhat ‘lonely’ as local senior leaders are not allegedly taking part in the electoral campaign in his favour.

Sha� qul Islam Chowdhury, president of Raozan upazila chapter of the AL failed to win party ticket for contesting the municipal race. However, Saiful Islam Chowdhury, son of Sha� qul Islam Chowdhury is contesting the polls as a ‘rebel’ candidate.

The voters observe that BNP-nominated mayoral candidate Kazi Abdullah Al Hassan might have an edge over his rivals since there are ‘two candidates’ from the ruling party.

“Though the local senior leaders are not electioneering in my favour, the grassroot leaders and activists are with me. I will win banking on the support and blessing of the grassroot leaders and activists and the local people,” said Debshish Palit, the mayoral candidate in Raozan municipality.

The party insiders said that an extended meeting of Raozan upazila chapter of the AL was held on November 13. During the meet-ing Sha� qul Islam Chowdhury was proposed for joining the fray. Local AL lawmaker Fazle Karim Chowdhury also attended the meet-ing. However, the central leadership chose former Raozan municipality mayor and AL

north district unit organising secretary De-bashis Palit for contesting the polls.

Saiful Islam who was also member of Rao-zan upazila AL collected nomination paper on December 1 for contesting the polls as a mayoral candidate. On the same day, vice president of Raozan upazila AL Anwarul Is-

lam and member of Raozan municipality AL Swapan Kumar das Gupta also collected nomination papers but at last pulled them out of the race. However, it was Saiful Islam who stuck to his gun.

Saiful Islam Chowdhury is contesting in the upcoming poll as an independent candi-date under the banner of “Nagorik Commit-tee” with his symbol “Jug”.

Speculation is rife that Saiful Islam Chow-dhury is backed by local AL lawmaker Fazle Karim Chowdhury.

Expressing his optimism to win in the polls, Saiful Islam claimed that the locals and party men were extending their support and cooperation to him.

“I am not a rebel candidate. Rather, I am

an independent candidate. It is not the elec-toral symbol but the image of the candidate which matters most in the local body polls,” said the rebel candidate of the ruling party, adding that the person who was nominated from the ruling party to vie for the race was isolated from the people.

On the other hand, Debshish Palit, AL-nominated mayoral candidate said that it mattered little as the local senior leaders were not conducting electoral campaign in his favour.

“My party has chosen me considering my popularity in the locality. I am con� dent of winning the polls with a wide margin,” said Palit.

Sha� qul Islam Chowdhury said: “I have worked for the AL for the last 30 years. How-ever, I have not been evaluated by my party. The voters in Raozan will never work for any isolated candidate.”

“Though my supporters have been barred from conducting electoral campaign, I am con� dent of winning the polls since there is a rebel candidate in the AL. I hope to reap bene� t from the internal feud in the rul-ing party,” said Kazi Abdullah Al Hassan, BNP-nominated mayoral candidate in Rao-zan municipality.

This time a total of 449 mayor and coun-cillor aspirants are vying the municipal polls slated for December 30. Of them, 34 are may-oral, 77 are in reserved seats for women and 338 are contesting as the general councillor candidates.

The 10 municipalities where the polls are going to be held are Sandwip, Banshkhali, Chandanaish, Satkania, Mirsarai, Patiya, Rao-zan, Rangunia, Baryarhat and Sitakunda. l

Rivalry between Sirajganj cousins worsensn Our Correspondent, Sirajganj

The long-standing con� ict between acting Sirajganj mayor Selim Ahmed and his cous-in Mamunur Rashid Mamun has worsened recently as both of them are vying for the councillor post of ward 5 in the municipality polls slated for December 30.

The mud-slinging between them and their supporters is now exposed before the voters. Mamun was defeated in the previous elec-tion too. On Saturday, their followers clashed with each other and also vandalised houses of the rivals.

Despite being backed by the local lawmak-er and gaining popularity as the acting mayor, Selim failed to get the ruling party’s nomination to contest the election as a mayoral candidate. Then he decided to � ght for the councillor post. But he will have to face his cousin again.

Locals said relatives of the duo had also failed to settle the rivalry between them.

Both of them complained to the election returning o� cer against each other over vio-lation of election codes.

Mamun claimed that Selim’s followers had created obstruction in his campaigns. “Selim and his men attacked on me and my followers including some women during a campaign. They not only beat us but also threatened me with dire consequences,” he said.

When contacted, Selim refuted the allega-tions against him. “I am a candidate. Mamun was carrying out a procession with his men in front of my house. They attacked on me as I protested.”

Selim said that he had � led a general di-ary with the police and a complaint to the returning o� cer in this connection. “Mamun is my younger brother. It is simple that I can ask him to behave accordingly. But it will be unexpected if someone tries to use it as a tool against me,” he added. l

IGP: No victory procession after municipal pollsn Our Correspondent, Khulna

Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Sha-hidul Haque has said victory procession after the upcoming municipal elections would be controlled to ensure a healthy law and order situation.

“Members of law enforcement agencies including police are kept alert to establish a congenial environment during the munici-pal polls. Even steps will be taken so that the voters can return home after casting their franchises. The winners will not be allowed to bring out victory procession to prevent any terror acts. Later after having peaceful time returned, the elected can bring out such sort of procession with the permission from the local administration,” IGP Shahidul said.

The IGP made the statement in a press brie� ng in DIG range o� ce in Boira of Khulna yesterday noon.

Decisions including banning licensed � rearms would be adopted soon before the elections and police have been carried out incessant drives to � nd out the illegal guns, Shahidul continued. l

‘The local senior leaders are not electioneering in my favour, the grassroot leaders and activists are with me. I will win banking on the support and blessing of the grassroot leaders and activists and the local people’

News8DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

18 get life-term in Karim murder casen Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

At least 18 people were sentenced to life im-prisonment in the sensational Karim murder case in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabgonj district yesterday.

The convicts are Monirul, Shantijul, Bairul, Ansar, Anwarul, Sadequl, Laddu, Ataur, Bakkar, Jalal, Moni Alam, Bakul, Ziaur Rahman, Bishu, Matin and Alam.

Rajshahi Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Golam Ahmed Khalilur Rahman found the convicts guilty of the murder charge be-yond doubt and pronounced the verdict in presence of them.

Twenty other accused of the case were ac-quitted as charge brought against them could not be proved.

According to prosecution, the accused in collaboration with each other killed Abdul Karim, caretaker of mango garden owned by Naimul Haque, in Chalk Kirti village under the upazila on August 18, 2010.

Later, Naimul Haque lodged a murder case with Shibgonj police station in this connection.

After completion of investigation police pressed charges accusing 39 persons.

The court examined recorded depositions of the prosecution witnesses and other relevant evidences and handed down the verdict. l

Foreign tourist beaten upn Our Correspondent, Barisal

A Peruvian tourist was beaten up by miscre-ants in the district yesterday.

The victim was Jerry Victor, 31, business-man and resident of Lima, capital city of Democratic Republic of Peru.

Sub Inspector Shah Sab of Bandar police station said Jerry reached Bangladesh through India with tourist visa 19 days ago. He came from Dhaka by launch and reached the district on Monday to visit the house of his friend Bi-plob at Sharshi village under Sadar upazila.

However a gang of miscreants targeted him and assured to reach him to the house of Biplob.

Later, they beat up him leaving uncon-scious and looted all valuables including bag, money, travel documents and passport.

Locals found him lying on the road in Charkawa area near Kirtankhola River. Later, they sent him to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Med-ical College Hospital and informed police. l

Ex-ministers motorcade attackedn Our Corespondent, Patuakhali

The motorcade of former home minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Al-taf Hossain Chowdhury came under attack yesterday by miscreants during municipality polls campaign.

The incident took place when Altaf was going to Rahmatpur to conduct campaign in favour of Bangladesh Nationalist Party backed mayoral candidate Hazi Humayun Shikder around 10am.

At least 10 people, including Altaf’s wife Suraiya Begum Chowdhury, were reportedly injured in the incident.

The attackers hurled brickbats and stones at his motorcade. They also snatched away the cameras of journalists at that time.

Advocate Mojibor Rahman Toton, the dis-trict unit BNP’s organising secretary alleged that Awami League-backed mayor candidate Bipul Haider’s supporters made the attack.

Kalapara upazila nirbahi o� cer Jahangir

Hossain said the incident was unwanted and they would � nd out the attackers.

Azizur Rahman, o� cer-in-charge of Kolapara police station said the attackers vandalised four vehicles.

However, city Awami League’s vice presi-dent Md Masum Bepary denied the allegation against the ruling party supporters and said the attack was a result of BNP’s internal faction.

On the other hand, in Comilla, Chhatra League and Swechha Sebak League activists allegedly assulted Joynal abedin Faruk, former Cheif Whip of Bangaladesh National Party, dur-ing municipality polls campaign at Chandina of the district, reports our correspondent.

The attackers also snatched away the camera of Zakir Hossain, a local journalist. They beat up him leaving critically injured.

Faruk said a group of Awami League ac-tivists attacked him riding on 10-12 motor bikes while he was campaigning in favour of Bangladesh Nationalist Party backed mayoral candidate Shah Mohammad Alamgir Khan. l

4 JMB men heldn Our Correspondent, Bogra

Members of Detective Branch (DB) of po-lice yesterday arrested four men of Ja-maat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), in-cluding father and son, conducting drives in Chhilimpur area of the district town.

The arrested are Fazle Rabbi, 58 and his son Ahammad Saifullah Sadiq, student of Carmichael College in Rangpur, Osama-bin Anis, 19, son of Anisur Rahman and Anis’ son-in-law Imamus Saqlain alias Rihan, 23 of Gabtali upazila.

Gaziur Rahman, senior assistant superin-tend of police and also police media cell in-charge, con� rmed the incident.

He said acting on a tip o� , they conducted the drive at the house of Anisur Rahman and detained the JMB men when they were hold-ing a secret meeting. l

Water-body renamed after martyrs’ bloodn Our Correspondent, Thakurgaon

People of Bhandara village under Ranison-koil upazila in Thakurgaon district have re-named a water body as Khuniadighee after the blood of over 3,000 martyred innocent people.

The word Khuniadighee means that water is mixed with blood of innocent people who were killed in a medieval style by the Pakistani regime with their local collaborators in 1971.

After the War of Liberation, the local peo-ple renamed the water body as Khuniad-ighee, situated one kilometre o� Ranisonkoil police station.

The dighee (water-body) was dug about 200 years ago on six acres of land.

According to local people, the occupation forces tortured and killed freedom-seek-

er innocent people and freedom � ghters in di� erent torture camps and dumped over 3,000 bodies into the waterbody during the 9-month War of Liberation.

The water of it still reminds the atrocities committed against humanity and testi� es the heinous crimes of the Pakistani occupa-tion forces on this soil as a silent witness.

The occupation forces caught thousands of innocent Bangalees, irrespective of their caste, creed and religion, from di� erent are-as, brought them to the torture camps, tor-tured and killed them and dumped the bod-ies into the water-body.

The occupation forces with their local col-laborators also caught hundreds of daughters of the soil, molested and killed them at di� erent torture camps set up in the area and dumped the bleeding bodies into the water there.

While narrating the genocides committed by the occupation forces at ‘Khuniadighee’ in 1971, eyewitnesses Mohiuddin Ahmed Lalu of Ranisonkoil upazila town, Faizul Haque and Takbir Ali of Bhandara village could not control their emotion and tears.

Former Commander of Ranisonkoil upazi-la unit of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Sirajul Islam said he and his fellow freedom � ghters, lifted some 1,500 human skulls from the Khuniadighee water in 1972 after the War of Liberation.

An investigation team went from the cap-ital city of Dhaka and took some skulls and other bones as samples at that time.

He said the Ranisonkoil army camp was a torture cell and the occupation forces caught and brought innocent people and freedom � ghters there from di� erent plac-

es of Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Nilphamari and other areas.

After bringing the captives there from dif-ferent places, the occupation forces and their local collaborators inhumanly tortured and killed them and threw the bodies into the water body.

Recalling the barbaric atrocities commit-ted against the humanity by the Pakistani occupation forces with their collaborators, he estimated that 3,000 innocent Bangalees were killed and their bodies were thrown into the ‘Khuniadighee’ water.

UNO Nahid Hasan said: “A monument will be build up on the spot to remember the martyrs.”

Prof Yasin Ali, member of parliament, Thakurgaon-3 constituency, said: “We have taken steps to build up a monument and budget will be allocated soon in this regard.” l

Farmers tend to their potato � elds at Kathail in Kalai upazila, Joypurhat yesterday afternoon. After incurring losses from Aman paddy cultivation this year, farmers in Joypurhat have taken up cultivating potatoes. Some farmers have already harvested potatoes and are selling them at Tk1,000-1,100 per maund DHAKA TRIBUNE

News 9D

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

North South University Computer & Engineering Club has successfully organised its day-long event Info Fest Version 2, which was held between November 29 and December 22 at the North South University main campus. Info Fest Version 2 included a workshop on Robotics along with three seminars based on information technology and its practical approaches in modern corporation.

The seminars featured special guests,

Arif Nezami and Solaiman Shukhon. The third seminar was the Grameenphone Accelerator Info session which was hosted by PRENEUR LAB. With the purpose of updating the knowledge about advanced ICT sectors to the masses, NSUCEC used the tagline, ‘Technology for Future’ for the event.

For any queries please visit info@nsucec.org or visit their Facebook page: http://facebook.com/nsucc l

The most prestigious Model United Nations conference of the country, Dhaka University National Model United Nations 2015 has been inaugurated by the honourable vice-chancellor of the university, professor AAMS Are� n Siddique yesterday at Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.

The grand inauguration ceremony was attended by the member of parliamentary standing committee on Youth and Sports and the chief convener of Young Bangla, Mr Nahim Razzaq, MP; former Chairman of the Department of International Relations,

Professor Dr Delwar Hossain; former O� cer-in-Charge of United Nations Information Centre Dhaka, Kazi Ali Reza attended the ceremony as special guests. The Secretary General of the conference, Wahiduzzaman Siddique, was also present in the ceremony.

Professor Siddique expressed his respect to the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh by stating, “Pakistan has come up with a false statement that there was no genocide in 1971, which is a ‘white lie’. So the university has already cut their ties with Pakistan for the sake of truth.”

Nahim Razzak MP said that Bangladesh has a ‘population dividend’ so he is trying to unite the youths of the nation in one platform, Young Bangla, to convert this youth population into resource.

Later on Wahiduzzaman Siddique recalled the role of DUMUNA of the last four years and wished a grand success of the conference. DUNMUN 2015 will last four days from December 21 to December 24 under the theme, “Destination 2030: Treasuring the present for shaping the future.”

This year, DUNMUN will be attended by

almost 700 youths from di� erent countries as delegates, executive board members, and as organisers. delegates and executive board members are coming from United States of America, United Kingdom, South Korea, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and many other countries.

Like every other year the conference is being organised by Dhaka University Model United Nations Association (DUMUNA) with UNIC Dhaka, KIITMUN of India and East Asia Study Centre as partners. l

DUNMUN 2015 � oated

Huawei has organised Annual Dealer Meet 2015 at Ocean Paradise Hotel in Cox’s Bazar. Around 280 people including dealers, retailers, brand shop owners and Huawei sta� attended the event, which was held very recently. At the event, Huawei arranged a number of activities such as Victory Day celebration, a concert, fun games and a beach party during the two-day stay at Cox’s Bazar. Senior o� cials from the Device Department at Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Ltd

Info Fest Version 2

Feature10DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Old charms in the new world

n Atiya Rumni Mahmood

Vibrant cafes, grand architecture, imperial palaces from the Austro-Hungarian empire, beautiful gardens, ostentatious facades of palatial residences along the dark

twisted cobble-stoned picturesque streets - full of ancient relics, Vienna had already marveled me immensely.

I am continuously entertained and amused by Vienna’s relentless thrive ranging from celebration of centuries-old traditions to holding unconventional forward looking alternatives for the society and the world!

This time, it is the centuries old tradition- the “Christmas Market”!

Despite this cold, cloudy, drizzly weather, the Viennese are happy, their regular cold autumn has � nally arrived in time for their old-time traditional celebration - the Christmas Markets!

I suddenly noticed how cleverly the 2015 Christmas markets are popping up all around me. They are occupying town squares in the backdrop of the magni� cent architecture, where idyllic palaces and the centuries-old statues of historical � gures stand tall piercing the sky above. There are more such

markets in the back-alleys and cobblestone lanes of the city neighborhoods below the picturesque row houses.

Since medieval times, these Christmas markets have been held in Vienna. They used to be called the “December Markets”. Traders and retailers would be given the privilege to bring their products for the winter provisions of the city dwellers. It was common among German speaking parts of Europe and in the

main parts of the Holy Roman Empire. Beside the regular groceries the stall-holders would have spreads of delicious ginger breads and pastries.

To this day, during this time of the year these age-old Christmas markets keep cloaking 21st century Vienna, taking us back to the ambience of the old days with their rustic styled crafty stalls. Talking to some of these decorated stall holders I learn that

most of these crafts are produced by artists of the same family for generations. The local artisans make all these nostalgic toys - carved wooden angels, Christmas decorations, ceramics, warm jumpers, jewelries, beautiful handmade candles. Beside all these art works, the markets have several simple gastronomic regional o� erings.

The noise of sporadic horse-drawn carriages bringing the market visitors, the whi� s of fresh fried chestnuts, and the aroma of Glühwein (mulled wine) in the air transforms the city to a unique wintery village of old times. In the evening special colorful illuminations turn this wintry old time villages into a fairyland.

I walk around feeling the seasonal warmth in cold Vienna - looking at the handicrafts and watching the Christmas market visitors as they hold their punsch mugs ......talking, eating, strolling through their real world Wonderland. This organic sight tells me that the centuries-old tradition - “Christmas Markets” - will have its enchanting spell over the Viennese who will remain under the spell of this wintery Wonderland for many more centuries to come! l

Since medieval times, these Christmas markets have been held in Vienna. They used to be called the “December Markets”

INSIDE

As the December 30 municipal elections draw near, it is concerning to see that the Election Commission has been falling short in its duties to ensure free, fair, and peaceful electoral activities.

The EC was recently unable to take proper action against three lawmakers found in violation of the electoral code of conduct. The rules state that if any allegation of misconduct is found to be true by the commission, the violator can be penalised with a six-month jail sentence, or a Tk50,000 � ne, or both. The EC’s act of looking the other way and only issuing a minor warning was therefore disappointing.

It is all the more regrettable that this failure on the EC’s part comes just a day after the commission requested the help of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in stopping ruling party o� cials from breaching the electoral code during the campaign process.

It is the EC’s responsibility to make sure the code of conduct is upheld -- asking for help from the ruling party chief shows helplessness on part of the EC. Furthermore, the act goes against the neutrality with which the EC is meant to operate, thereby diminishing its credibility.

It is time for the EC to step up and assure the public that it has things under control. The commission should oversee peaceful and credible elections -- that means prompt enforcement of all electoral rules, and keeping the violence in check.

As Bangladesh has witnessed many times before, violence in election time is all too common. Violence needs to be contained, and the authorities should do everything in its power to make sure people feel safe when they go to the polls.

It is time for the EC to step up and assure the public that it has things under control. The commission should oversee peaceful and credible elections -- that means prompt enforcement of all electoral rules

What’s next in Bangladesh’s development?

A letter to Uncle SamYour designs didn’t work well in Pakistan, Sam Chacha. The military and the mullahs who were once much more ‘closer to you than God’ now indulge in an orgy of killing their own children, and places of worship, have turned mosques into bastions of terrorism and have even exported the chapati version of Islam to Bangladesh PAGE 13

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Better late than neverThe poor countries continue to su� er. Because of the emission in the richer countries, the least developed countries face natural disasters such as � ood and cyclones PAGE 14

How can Bangladesh continue its growth trajectory if it has to rely on attracting industries that only require low-skilled workers? If the country tries to attract industries that require high-skill workers, it will only employ a fraction of the workforce, and the unskilled workers will be left behind PAGE 12

EC needs to step up to ensure credible municipal polls

11D

TEditorialWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

BIGSTOCK

n TM Tonmoy Islam

As Bangladesh embarks on a new era of being a lower-middle income nation, some questions remain about what steps should

be taken next to further develop the country. Complicating matters are the large di� erences in living conditions and economic opportunities between the urban and rural areas of Bangladesh.

Just travelling a few miles outside of the main cities of Dhaka or Chittagong shows stark di� erences between rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. The government needs to do a balancing act between Dhaka, the other urban areas of Bangladesh, and the rest of the country to ensure that there is a balanced economic growth across the country.

The labour force of Bangladesh is 77 million and growing, according to the World

Bank. This can be both a blessing, and a curse. It is a blessing as it provides a cheap supply of labour who can work with low pay and this factor can attract industries that require a large pool of unskilled workers.

However, unskilled workers will earn a low pay, and the only way to develop the nation is to ensure that the labour force becomes productive and demands a higher pay. Bangladesh needs to create 21 million jobs in 10 years, according to Kaushik Basu, the chief economist of the World Bank.

Herein comes the dilemma. How can Bangladesh continue its growth trajectory if it has to rely on attracting industries that only require low-skilled workers? If the country tries to attract industries that require high-skill workers, it will only employ a small fraction of the workforce, and the unskilled workers will be left behind, creating uneven growth.

Moreover, a recent article in The Wall Street Journal indicates the assumption that manufacturing-led growth is a feasible strategy for poor countries to achieve high-income status may not be so true anymore. Many developing countries are experiencing a fall in the contribution of manufacturing sector to GDP according to the article. A number of reasons were given, but one big reason is the rise of China as the world’s manufacturing hub.

As Bangladesh is currently over-specialising in low-end manufacturing of clothes, it is possible that the country may not move to higher-end manufacturing, and may even see the manufacturing sector shrink in the future.

So what hope does a country like Bangladesh have to achieve upper-middle

income status in a reasonable amount of time? Improving infrastructure, such as building seaports or a new airport, can help to improve bottlenecks to trade and employ thousands, but will take years to build and decades to realise the full economic impact.

As mentioned above, there is a large pool of unskilled workers that need to be employed, along with the growing number of skilled workers.

While looking at projects that can improve the long run growth prospects of the country, Bangladesh needs to look into steps that can create new employment opportunities. Besides implementing large-scale infrastructure projects, the government can focus on increasing employment in the service sector. It can encourage local transport companies to trans-ship goods from one part of India to another through Bangladesh.

Online payment sites, such as PayPal, can be allowed to operate in Bangladesh so that small manufacturers can sell their products through online vendors. Non-resident Bangladeshis should be courted to invest in Bangladesh.

Students should be encouraged to be entrepreneurial, and all kinds of facilities, like subsidised o� ce-space for start-ups, can be given to recent college graduates to start their business. But whatever the steps the country takes, there needs to be a balance in employment opportunities so that in the short-run, both skilled and unskilled workers can gain employment to ensure an even development in the country. l

TM Tonmoy Islam is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Elon University.

What’s next in Bangladesh’s development?

How can Bangladesh continue its growth trajectory if it has to rely on attracting industries that only require low-skilled workers? If the country tries to attract industries that require high-skill workers, it will only employ a small fraction of the workforce, and the unskilled workers will be left behind, creating uneven growth

We need to bring both skilled and unskilled workers into our development vision

Opinion12DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

We cannot a� ord to leave the unskilled workers behind BIGSTOCK

Opinion 13D

T

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

n Amer Wahab

Dear Sam Chacha, Pray the coming New Year 2016 will bring some respite from your global adversaries and give you

space to cultivate new ones. You may recall, way back in 1954, Sadat Manto Bhaiya (a well-known and gifted Urdu writer) wrote several letters addressed to you at the very dawn of your courtship with the military and the mullahs of Pakistan. My resolution for the coming New Year is to revive communicating with you from where Bhaiya has left.

If it helps, Chacha, allow me to refresh your memory with bits and pieces of history. In his letters, Sadat Bhaiya had expressed great admiration for the gracious generosity you extended, taking up the responsibility as a permanent guardian to the newly born state of Pakistan since her father died within a year of her birth.

Bhaiya suggested that you militarise the country and the mullahs to protect your Muslim children from the atheist and un-Islamic ideological assault of the com-munists, the socialists, India, and whoever

you thought may harm your intellectually challenged and orphaned child.

It has been more than 60 long years since your custodianship of Pakistan commenced, followed by the � rst coup that you commis-sioned subsequently, leading to a military pact in the late 50s. Since then, you re-mained the sole decision-maker and curator of the military establishment of Pakistan.

You installed servile and inert heads of states to run your errands in the region, taking into task any CEOs and the Western educated elites of the country when anyone stepped out of your de� ned job description. You continued to extend support with a wide assortment of policy guidelines, food aid, military hardware, and your convoluted version of democracy.

The rosary beads and even the “stones to soak up the after-drops of the Mullahs fol-lowing nature’s call” were supplied by you, which, in later years, served the purpose of stoning people to death. The magnanimity of your generosity empowered the elites

and appointed CEOs from the military. Your big-heartedness was much appreciated by Manto Bhaiya.

You created a thick smokescreen of development myths that the local echoes of the “American Dream,” ie the civil servants (bureaucracy), and a military who could never fathom nor comprehend their stupid-ity. Occasionally, they experimented with di� erent forms of democracy, one of which was “basic democracy” or “democracy reserved for the elites.” If I am not mistaken, your � rst military CEO in Pakistan once stat-ed that “true Democracy is only � t for colder climates” like yours.

For more than 20 years, we, the people of the eastern wing of Pakistan, were treated like a colony -- they tolerated deprivation, and faced assault on our Bengali identity and secular standing by the military leader-ship and their Bengali chamchas.

They subverted our demand for a fair share of national resources and our right to voice our grievances. We couldn’t live with it any longer, and � nally decided to separate ourselves from “Na-Pakistan,” a term coined by the founders of Jamaat ideologues when the Partition of India was evident.

They even referred to the founding father of Pakistan as Ka� r- e-Azam. God ordained that in 1971 we detach ourselves from these lesser mortals for which we had to pay a heavy human price. You were very upset with our insolence to separate ourselves and if you remember the famous last words of your Noble Peace laureate Secretary Henry Kissinger consoling your CEO when a limb of Pakistan got severed in the last days of 1971: ”Mr President, you have saved West Pakistan.”

Perhaps Kissinger realised that the mili-tary leadership in Pakistan will continue to remain impressed by your whiteness rather than the darker people of the eastern wing, now Bangladesh.

Your designs didn’t work well in Pakistan, Sam Chacha. The military and the mullahs who were once much more “closer to you than God” now indulge in an orgy of killing their own children in schools, and places of worship, have turned mosques into bastions of terrorism and have even exported the

chapati (cleaver) version of Islam to Bangla-desh.

Holding the distinction of being the largest incubating ground of terrorism in South Asia, not a single day passes without them reducing their own population by the dozens. You laid the foundation, Chacha, and they have built the best institutions of terrorism in the world today. Oops, they have a functioning parliament now after 60 years of independence.

It’s sad that even after 1971, Pakistan didn’t give up, Chacha, for it shattered their ego so badly that they sponsored a bloody coup in 1975 by their chamchas in our sacred land, following which they mutilated our constitution and rehabilitated the khobis Razakars and sympathisers.

After many moons (more than 35 years), we � nally have the opportunity to bring the war criminals to justice, a process so long deterred by the left behind and rehabilitated khabis children of the “Na-Pakistan” mili-tary establishment.

Got them this time, Chacha. When we are pursuing our commitment to the martyrs of our glorious liberation war and punishing the perpetrators of the ghastly genocide, the sympathisers and rehabilitators of the Razakars and their parents in Pakistan have once again resorted to their preferred and only method of assault known to them, ie the cleaver-stroke.

Chacha, please don’t mind if I am a bit harsh and disrespectful and don’t bother to reply to my mails. It is my earnest request that you please restrain this monster child of yours barking from a thousand miles away.

Also, please don’t come in between our ways of � nally dealing with the butchers of the 1971 Genocide. I pray that they get con-sumed in the fury of Hell’s � re for their sins.

I conclude here and will write to you soon.

Wishing you good health, Joy Bangla. l

Amer Wahab is a marketing research professional.

A letter to Uncle Sam

Your designs didn’t work well in Pakistan, Sam Chacha. The military and the mullahs who were once much more ‘closer to you than God’ now indulge in an orgy of killing their own children in schools, and places of worship, have turned mosques into bastions of terrorism and have even exported the chapati (cleaver) version of Islam to Bangladesh

The US shouldn’t interfere with our decision to punish the butchers of the 1971 genocide

America, please try and restrain the monster you have created in Pakistan REUTERS

Opinion14DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

n Fahmid Rashid

Between 1859 and 1864, physicist John Tyndall discovered that gases block infrared radiation. Tyndall further went on to suggest that

changes in the concentration of gases could bring about climate change.

In 1896, Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius was the � rst scientist to calculate how changes in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could alter the surface temperature, causing what we know today to be global warming, which is in turn responsible for climate change. And there is no doubt that climate change is a real threat to human civilisation at present.

World leaders gathered in Paris recently to take decisions on how to tackle climate change. Around 150 leaders from developed and developing nations discussed the dan-gers of climate change, and how it is a� ect-ing the lives of the people in this planet.

A number of important decisions were taken at the Paris Climate Summit, also known as the Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Amongst them, two are the most important.

The � rst one is regarding limiting green-house gas emissions. That is, the world will have to limit global average warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. The second important decision is on � nance. It was decided that developed countries should provide � nancial support to poorer coun-

tries to allow them to adapt to the impact of climate change. Developed countries have committed to generating $100bn per year beyond 2020 for taking actions against climate change.

We only hope that the commitments taken at COP21 are ful� lled by the respective countries. In the past, we have seen how developed countries failed to keep their promises.

They continue to industrialise despite how it increases pollution; they cut forests and destroy natural resources for urban-isation; they manufacture cars in spite of the harm it causes to the environment by emitting carbon dioxide; they generate chemical wastes which a� ect wildlife and the eco-system. On the other hand, when it comes to taking actions to reduce pollution and spend money to mitigate emission, they have continued to shy away.

As a result, the poor countries continue to su� er. Because of the emission in the richer countries, the least developed countries face natural disasters such as � ood and cyclones. Recent � oods in Chennai, India in November 2015 stand out as an example of the adverse e� ects of climate change. Bangladesh itself faced cyclone Sidr in November 2007.

Not only do thousands of people die during such calamities, but houses, schools, hospitals, shops, roads, and bridges are also destroyed. People lose their jobs and become homeless. Children go hungry and are a� ected by various diseases.

These events should serve as a wake-up

call for us to start taking care of our world in order to save humanity. Because it is always the poor people who su� er the most due to natural disasters.

Can we hope that world leaders will really keep their promises this time? Many countries have set their targets to reduce carbon emission. But to achieve their goals, they really have to work hard. They have to stop using fossil fuels. They have to start using eco-friendly, renewable technology. Companies have to manufacture fewer polluting cars.

While developed countries have a lot to do to reduce carbon emission, developing countries like China and India also have to do their part. In Beijing, on windless days, smog cloaks the city like a dark veil, where the air becomes poisonous. Use of coal in India to build power plants is also a great concern for the climate. To avoid even more serious catastrophes, countries have to think twice before taking such steps.

As it is, a lot of money is needed to adopt clean technology in order to save our planet and save ourselves. Further delay can only increase such expenditures. It is time to think of our future. A future where children in Beijing can happily play in the parks. A future where Chennai can once again be crowned as the best city to live in India. A future where global warming is just a thought, an idea, and a concept of the past. Nothing more. l

Fahmid Rashid is a freelance contributor.

Better late than never

The poor countries continue to su� er. Because of the emission in the richer countries, the least developed countries face natural disasters such as � ood and cyclones

Fighting climate change requires true commitment, not just a conference

COP21 promised a lot, but will it deliver? REUTERS

15D

TBusinessWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Asia stocks, currencies up as China fuels reform hopesHopes that China will implement fresh economic reforms lifted emerging-market currencies yesterday and oil and metals prices saw a rare uptick, while most Asian stock markets extended the previous day’s gains. PAGE 18

Japan targets growth with record budget spending planThe Japanese government is planning nearly $800bn of record spending in the next � scal year to shore up a fragile economy, with To-kyo also promising to rein in a bulging debt burden in an expansionary budget set to be unveiled this week. PAGE 17

BTRC: Internet users drop by over 7 lakh in November

The number of internet users has dropped 7.17 lakh to 5.39 crore in No-vember from 5.46 crore in October due to suspension of social net-working sites – Facebook

and mobile messaging apps. PAGE 16

October

52.331

November

51.468

Mobile

October

0.159

November

0.154em

15

WiMAX

October

2.168

November

2.318

ISP+PSTN

INTERNET USERS UNDER DIFFERENTOPERETORS IN MILLIONS

Source: BTRC

Capital market snapshot: TuesdayDSE

Broad Index 4,593.7 0.3% ▲

Index 1,104.2 0.3% ▲

30 Index 1,744.6 0.6% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk 5,262.5 7.6% ▲

Turnover in Mn Volume 114.7 18.4% ▲

CSEAll Share Index 13,995.7 0.1% ▲

30 Index 12,386.8 -0.2% ▼

Selected Index 8,516.6 0.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk 258.8 18.2% ▲

Turnover in Mn Volume 8.9 17.3% ▲

INSIDE

Fuel import likely at 70% higher costn Asif Showkat Kallol

The government is likely to import 10.85 lakh tonnes of re� ned fuel oil at US$61.31 a barrel, which is sharply higher than the current price of $36.43 in the international market.

The country’s lone state-run importer Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will import the oil from 11 international companies including, Turkish Petroleum International Company for July-December period under an agreement signed in June last year.

To this e� ect, an Energy Division pro-posal singed by Additional Secretary Nazi-muddin Chowdhury is likely to be placed at the cabinet committee on public purchase today for approval.

Higher quantity of fuel oil will be import-ed from China, Malaysia and Philippine un-der a state-to-state arrangement, according

to the proposal.Price for more than 10 lakh tonnes of re-

� ned fuel oil has been estimated at over $61 a barrel excluding carrying charges, service charges, lighter-age costs, duties and value added taxes.

On Monday, fuel oil prices slipped $36.43 a barrel in the global markets.

According to the pro-posal, the government will import re� ned 30,000 MT diesel from Turkish Petro-leum International Compa-ny with a premium of $4.50 per barrel.

According to BPC, the price of oil at internation-al markets was $61 a barrel when the proposal was sent and signed.

The Energy Division has estimated that the total cost

would be around over Tk4,868 crore and it also said the import cost might vary if the international prices of crude oil and local currency exchange rates changed.

The total demand for fuel oil would be 25-26MT over the next six months, going up to 50-52MT by the middle of next year. l

Realtors still look for their good daysn Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Even as the country’s real estate sector con-tinues to display its sluggish trend, the re-altors are going to begin a � ve-day housing fair with a hope to revive the business.

Since 2010 the housing sector has been in trouble due to political unrests, squeezing bank loans and crash in stock market. Lack of gas and electricity supplies has only ex-acerbated the situation.

According to a survey of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (RE-HAB) among 209 companies in 2014, a num-ber of 12,185 � ats worth Tk8,811.19 crore remained unsold. Annual sales fell to 1,749 � ats in 2014 from 1,965 in the previous year.

The realtors blamed high rates of bank loan interest and a bar to invest untaxed money for the slowdown in the housing sector business.

“The bank interest rate is too high and una� ordable for a � at buyer in Bangladesh. Sometimes banks also denies loans to po-tential � at buyers,” Md Wahiduzzaman, RE-HAB vice-president (administration), told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said the clients also needed to pay up to 20% of total � at value as registration fee, which also discouraged purchasing � ats.

Wahiduzzaman said they had sent a let-ter to the � nance ministry through the Fed-eration of Bangladesh Chambers of Com-merce and Industry (FBCCI) to reduce bank interest rate.

He said the apex trade body was also negotiating with the government to bring down the interest rate to single-digit one.

“A number of 3.5m people are directly or indirectly involved with the housing sector. If the sector cannot be made vibrant, we may see social and economic unrests,” Wa-hiduzzaman stressed.

The realtors want allowing undisclosed money to be used in buying � ats as it could prevent out� ow of capital.

According to Global Financial Integrity

(GFI) report, there was a capital � ight of about Tk76,000 crore from Bangladesh in 2013 and the REHAB believed that was the untaxed money, said Rabiul Haque, REHAB senior vice-president.

“If the government allows investment of untaxed money in the housing sector with-out any condition, it will stop capital � ight and help the sector become vibrant again and contribute to the economy.”

The bad days of the real estate business have inevitably a� ected its backward link-age industries, the construction materials including cement and steel.

“Sales of steel declined around 50% since the slowdown in the housing business,” said Anamul Hoq Iqbal, vice-president of Bangladesh Auto Re-Rolling and Steel Mills Association.

He said the interest against bank loans was rising. Anamul Hoq said if the situation didn’t improve, the mill owners would have

to slash the existing workforce and leave many unemployed.

According to the association, about half a million people are engaged in the sector and total investment is Tk30,00,000 crore.

Although Bangladesh has the capacity to produce 7m tonnes of steel annually, it now produces only 4m tonnes due to slow demand. The current demand is estimated at 3-3.5m a year.

In 2008 the sector, however, enjoyed a 10-15% growth in steel consumption, which now reduced to zero rate, the association leaders claimed.

The demand of cement also kept falling due to dull business of housing industry, said Abdul Khalique Parvez, senior vice president of Bangladesh Cement Manufac-turers Association.

“We are unable to use the installed ca-pacity of the cement sector, hurting our in-vestment,” he said. l

● Sluggish share market ● High bank interest ● Unavailability of bank loans ● Cut in bank loans for middle income group● Stagnant overall investments

Source: REHAB

UNSOLD FLATSIN LAST FIVE YEARSYear In units In value (Tk in crore)

2010 3,018 1,623.35

2011 3,562 2,228.84

2012 3,887 2,542.61

2013 5,514 3,974.31

2014 12,185 8,811.19

MAIN CAUSES FOR SLUMPIN HOUSING BUSINESS

Business16DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

ADB lends $205m to improve power supplyn Tribune Report

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Bangla-desh have signed $205m loan agreement for increasing access to reliable supply of elec-tricity and improving e� ciency and capacity of power systems in Bangladesh.

The assistance is the third tranche of the $700m Power System Expansion and E� -ciency Improvement Investment Program (PSEEIIP) approved by ADB in 2012.

Economic Relations Division (ERD) Senior Secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin and ADB Country Director Kazuhiko Higuchi yester-day signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations at a ceremony at the ERD, according to statement issued by ADB.

ADB assistance under third tranche of the PSEEIIP will help replace aging steam and gas turbine power plants with a more e� cient

400mw gas-� red combined cycle power plant at the Ashuganj Power Station complex.

It will also upgrade and construct a 72-kilometer long transmission lines, and four substations. Existing analog billing me-ters will be replaced by 700,000 prepaid me-ters in Dhaka Division.

“The project will generate 400mw of elec-tricity, using the same amount of energy that previously produced 220mw, achieving more than 80% e� ciency increase in energy use,” said Higuchi.

“In addition to bringing more stable and reliable electricity supply to users, the pro-ject also aims for higher operational and � -nancial e� ciency in the distribution utilities by bringing in prepaid meters in an opera-tional scale,” he added.

The Islamic Development Bank is co-� nanci-er of the third tranche of the overall program. l

BB o� cers stage demonstration for separ ate pay scalen Tribune Report

Bangladesh Bank o� cers have staged demonstration to press home their demand for a separate pay scale.

Around hundreds of o� cers gathered at the premises of the headquarters in the � rst half yesterday and held demonstration under the banner of Bangladesh Bank O� cers’ Wel-fare Council.

“We’re discriminated in the pay scale,” they alleged during the demonstration.

Addressing a post-demonstration press conference at the auditorium of the central bank, the leaders of the welfare council came up with set demands.

Siddiqur Rahman Molla, president of the council, said, “Dignity of the central bank and the o� cers of the bank have been down-graded in the 8th national pay scale.”

Mohammad Shahriar Siddiq, general sec-retary of the council, raised their three points demand-keeping the central bank separate in the pay scale, upgrading executive director post to � rst grade and setting eight grade for assistant directors.

“As the central bank is a regulatory body, it should be mentioned separately in the pay scale instead of generalising with all other banks,” he argued.

Siddiq said, “The entry post of Assistant Director has been set at the 9th grade, down-grading from earlier stage.

“They should be posted at eighths grade to remove discrimination with the cadre of-� cials.”

He claimed that BB governor Atiur Rah-man expressed his solidarity with their agita-tion programme.

The o� cers will wear black badge from Sunday next week as part of theirongoing demonstration, the leaders ofthe council announced at the press confer-ence.

A memorandum will be given to Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Fi-nance Secretary and the Bangladesh BankGovernor on Sunday, they told the press con-ference. l

Ecnec okayes 5 projects worth over Tk760crn Tribune Report

The Executive Committee of National Eco-nomic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved � ve development projects worth over Tk759 crore, including the construction of “Bhumi Bhaban Complex”.

The approval was made in the Ecnec meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC conference room.

Of the total project cost, Tk726.72 crore will come from the government exchequer and Tk32.4 crore from project assistance.

Under the Tk139.96 crore Bhumi Bhaban Complex project, a 13-story building with 20-storied foundation and two basements will be set up on the Land Record and Survey Department premises in the capital’s Tejgaon area as a One Stop Service Centre.

Use of land will be much more important in coming days with the fast growing indus-

trialisation and urbanisation while there is a need for reforms of di� erent land-related institutions like Land Reform Board, Land Appeal Board, Land Record and Survey De-partment and Land Administration Training Centre, said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal after the meeting.

He said the building will be a complex type and once it is constructed, it will help reduce hassles of service seekers to a great extent.

With the establishment of One Stop Service Centre, the planning minister said there will be a marked improvement in land management.

The Land Record and Survey Department under the Ministry of Land along with the Department of Public Works will implement the project by June 2018.

The planning minister said the Ecnec meeting was also apprised of a project titled “Showcasing Bangladesh” in a bid to digital-ly project the development activities of the

government before common people.Under the project, he said LED display

boards will be set up at crowded places in the capital like in front of the NAM Bhaban, Suhrawardy Udyan, Bahadur Shah Park, Ka-malapur Railway Station and Lunch Terminals.

The other projects approved at the meet-ing are expansion and modernisation of Mymensingh Central Jail with Tk127.13 crore, grooming women entrepreneurs with Tk88.36 crore.

The Participatory Rural Development Pro-ject (PRDP) 3rd phase with Tk231.67 crore project also got the nod of Ecnec to utilise local resources as well as help increase skills and e� ciency of some 600 union councils for formulating local development plans.

The project has been undertaken based on the success of the PRDP 2nd project imple-mented from July 2010 to June 2015 at 200 un-ions under 85 upazilas of all the 64 districts. l

BTRC: Internet users drop by over 7 lakh in Novembern Tribune Report

The number of internet users has dropped 7.17 lakh to 5.39 crore in November from 5.46 crore in October due to suspension of social networking sites – Facebook and mobile mes-saging apps.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regula-tory Commission (BTRC) revealed the infor-mation yesterday.

According to BTRC statistics, the total number of mobile internet users dropped 8.63 lakh in November from 5.23 crore in October.

In November, the number of mobile in-ternet users was 5.14 crore. Over the last one month, social media services had been blocked by the government several times.

Industry insiders said telecommunication industry su� ered a lot after the suspension of Facebook and other mobile messaging apps.

In November, the number of mobile inter-net users was 5.14 crore while WiMAX users 1.54 lakh and internet users via ISP and PSTN was 23 lakh.

In October, the number of mobile internet us-ers was 5.23 crore while WiMAX users 1.59 lakh and internet users via ISP and PSTN was 21 lakh.

On November 18, BTRC blocked Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber, mypeople, Line and Tango across the country for security reasons.

Popular social networking site – Facebook – was only unblocked on December 10.

On December 13, BTRC blocked the social networking sites – Twitter, Skype, Imo three days after unblocking the Facebook.

While Bangladesh’s 18 million Facebook us-ers were o� limit to the social networking site from November 18 to December 10 afternoon, WhatsApp and Viber, blocked at the same time, remained blocked till December 14. l

Stocks rally for2nd dayn Tribune Report

Stocks gained for the second session in a row yesterday with the higher volume of trade.

The market opened with the same enthu-siasm like previous session fueled by the cen-tral bank’s easing capital market exposure of banks, but the enthusiasm subdued as days wore on.

The benchmark index DSEX rose almost 15 points or 0.4% to 4,593.

The Shariah index DSES inched 3 points higher to 1,104. The blue chip comprising index DS30 settled at 1,744, moving up 10 points or 0.7%.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX soared 9 points to 8,516.

Trading activities increased as the DSE turnover crossed Tk500 crore after 11 ses-sions. Gainers outpaced losers as out of 320 issues traded, 149 advanced, 126 declined and 45 remained unchanged.

Almost all the sectors closed positive with the cement sector leading the way gaining 1.7%, followed by power almost 1%.

Other sectors, including pharmaceuticals, non-banking � nancial institutions, food and allied, and telecommunications ended mar-ginally higher.

On Sunday, Bangladesh Bank excluded banks’ equity investment in its stock mar-ket subsidiaries from the calculation of the banks’ capital market exposure.

IDLC Investments said spur from relaxa-tion of banks’ capital market exposure rule helped the session start in a positive tone.

Pessimistic investors, however, leveled the rise in indices, pondering on the underly-ing fundamentals of the market, it said.

Lanka Bangla Securities said the market � uctuated over the course of the trading ses-sion, but largely maintained a positive bias and managed to end the day higher.

“The higher close DSEX was partly due to bargain hunting after the steep drop seen over the past two weeks, which pulled the benchmark index down to its short term sup-port level 4520.” l

October

52.331

November

51.468

Mobile

October

0.159

November

0.154em

15

WiMAX

October

2.168

November

2.318

ISP+PSTN

INTERNET USERS UNDER DIFFERENTOPERETORS IN MILLIONS

Source: BTRC

Business 17D

TWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Japan targets growth with record budget spending plann Reuters, Tokyo

The Japanese government is planning nearly $800bn of record spending in the next � scal year to shore up a fragile economy, with To-kyo also promising to rein in a bulging debt burden in an expansionary budget set to be unveiled this week.

Finance Minister Taro Aso yesterday vowed to boost growth and achieve � scal reform with government budget spending worth 96.7tn yen ($797.53bn) for the next � s-cal year that starts in April. This is up a touch from the 96.3bn yen spending set for the cur-rent year’s initial budget.

Con� rming � gures reported by Reuters last week, Aso said tax revenue is estimated at a 25-year high of 57.6tn yen in � scal 2016.

That revenue assumption, based on an expected economic growth of nominal 3.1%

and real 1.7%, will allow the government to slash new bond issuance by 2.4tn yen from this year to 34.4tn yen, he said.

The budget plans signal a growing commit-ment by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to rein in the industrial world’s heaviest debt burden even as he continues to pump-prime the econ-omy via a cocktail of expansionary policies.

“This budget is appropriate for marking the � rst step towards our new � scal plan while we aim for economic revival and � scal consolidation at the same time,” Aso told re-porters after he presented the budget � gures at a meeting between government o� cials and ruling party lawmakers.

Aso said the government is making a pro-gress towards achieving a primary budget sur-plus - excluding new bond sales and debt ser-vicing - by the � scal year ending March 2021.

The decreasing level of new borrowing

and rising tax income on the back of corpo-rate pro� ts will bring Japan’s � scal depend-ence on bond � nancing to 35.6% in � scal 2016 - the lowest since � scal 2008, just before the global � nancial crisis dealt a blow to the world’s third largest economy.

Still, the level of bond � nancing remains relatively high.

“Abe administration has done the utmost to pursue both economic revival and � scal reform,” Abe told the meeting, noting that tax revenue has risen by 15tn yen and bond issue has fallen by 10 trillion yen since he took o� ce in late 2012.

“The results were clear. Together with everyone, I want to follow this path with con� dence.”

The draft budget is expected to be en-dorsed by the cabinet on Thursday and sent to parliament for approval early next year. l

China eyes market reforms after top economic meetingn AFP, Beijing

China is eyeing strict management of local debt and increased housing reform as part of moves to shore up growth in the world’s sec-ond largest economy, state media said, after the close of a key economic forum.

Beijing’s economic planners will “al-low the market to play a bigger role” and “strengthen structural reforms”, state news service Xinhua reported.

The statement came after the end of the Central Economic Work Conference, a secre-tive event that is closely watched for clues about the future direction of China’s eco-nomic policy, especially development tar-gets.

But no hard numbers, or even plans, were apparent among Xinhua’s reporting on how Beijing will deal with the country’s economic challenges.

Overcapacity in manufacturing, mount-ing local government debt and a slowdown in the country’s property market are among the factors that have weighed down growth in the Asian giant and put a drag on global markets.

At the conference, which began Friday, planners promising to implement long-called for structural reforms.

Among the proposed measures, Xinhua said, are plans to “defuse local government debt risks”, including placing stricter limits on illegal fundraising.

Planners also said they will strengthen the role of markets in the economy creat-ing “conditions for execution of bankruptcy rules”. l

German consumer con� dence unfazed by Paris attacksn AFP, Frankfurt

Consumer con� dence in Germany is rising, apparently una� ected for the time being by the November 13 terror attacks in France, a poll found yesterday.

“The terror attacks in Paris in mid-No-vember and the increased dangers of ter-rorist attacks in Germany don’t seem to be leaving much of an impression on German consumers,” market research company GfK said in a statement.

Looking to January, GfK’s headline house-hold con� dence index was forecast to inch up to 9.4 points from 9.3 points in December, the � rst increase in � ve months.

“The positive start to the new year paves the way for 2016 also to be a good year for consumers,” GfK said.

“Domestic demand will continue to be an important pillar of economic growth in Ger-many,” it continued.

Among the possible risks for consumer sentiment, however, was the di� cult inter-national situation.

“International � ashpoints, mostly in the Middle East, the resulting refugee crisis and increased terror warnings could begin to un-nerve consumers and dampen sentiment,” GfK cautioned. l

‘Iran’s economy will su� er until sanctions lifted’n AFP, Washington

Iran’s economy will continue to su� er un-til international sanctions are lifted and the country is able to signi� cantly lift oil exports, the International Monetary Fund said.

“The sharp decline in global oil prices, tight corporate and bank balance sheets, and postponed consumption and investment de-cisions ahead of the expected lifting of eco-nomic sanctions, have signi� cantly slowed

down economic activity since the fourth quarter of 2014/15,” the IMF said in its annual review.

As a result, real economic growth is esti-mated at near zero (-0.5 to +0.5) for 2015-16. In� ation is expected to remain near 14 per-cent by year-end.

“Prospects for 2016/17 are brighter, ow-ing to the prospective lifting of economic sanctions. Higher oil production, lower costs for trade and � nancial transactions, and re-

stored access to foreign assets, are expected to lift real GDP to about 4–5.5% next year,” the IMF said.

The IMF urged Iran to undertake prudent monetary and � scal policy as a way to keep in� ation under 10%.

The IMF also praised announcements by the Iranian government that it would unify the foreign exchange market and remove for-eign exchange restrictions and multiple cur-rency practices. l

Japan’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso makes remarks during a news conference REUTERS

Business18DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

CORPORATE NEWS

NRB Commercial Bank Limited has recently donated Tk25 lakh to Underprivileged Children’s Education Programme (UCEP), Bangladesh. The bank’s chairperson, Engr Farasath Ali handed over a cheque to Zaki Hasan, executive director of UCEP in this regard

Southeast Bank Limited has recently opened its 119th branch at Shohid Bulbul Road, Munshi Bazar in Sherpur. The bank’s additional managing director, Mohammed Gofran inaugurated the branch

Jamuna Bank has recently opened its 101st branch at Shibu Market in Narayangonj. The bank’s director, Bir Protik Golam Dastagir Gazi inaugurated the branch

Social Islami Bank has recently opened an Ez Banking booth at its Mouchak Branch. The bank’s chairperson, Major Dr Md Rezaul Haque (retired) inaugurated the booth

Asia stocks, currencies up as China fuels reform hopesn AFP, Hong Kong

Hopes that China will implement fresh eco-nomic reforms lifted emerging-market cur-rencies yesterday and oil and metals prices saw a rare uptick, while most Asian stock markets extended the previous day’s gains.

After a secretive policy meeting that end-ed Monday, China’s economic planners said they would combat local government debt and push on with changes in the housing sec-tor to try to shore up growth.

They also said they would “strengthen structural reforms” and called for more � ex-ibility in monetary policy, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The announcement is the latest from Beijing after it promised last year to let the market play a bigger role in the world’s num-ber two economy and implement reforms of bloated state-owned enterprises.

It also follows other moves to kickstart slowing growth, including six interest rate cuts since November last year.

“We’ve had easing on multiple fronts in China and we are starting to see the green shoots of recovery there,” Nader Naeimi, Sydney-based head of dynamic markets at AMP Capital Investors, told Bloomberg News.

“We should see China’s economy turn the corner in 2016 and the US dollar peaking, which will have a powerful positive impact on commodities and related sectors.”

Currencies of countries that rely on trade with China climbed against the dollar. The Australian dollar rose 0.7%, Indonesia’s rupi-ah surged one percent, the Thai baht was 0.2% higher and the Singapore dollar added 0.2%.

The South Korean won, Canadian dollar and Taiwan dollar also advanced.

The US dollar bought 121.13 yen compared

with 123 yen last week. The euro continues to hold its own despite uncertainty in Spain after a general election left no party with a clear majority.

The possibility of Chinese stimulus meas-ures also lifted commodities, with copper ris-ing 1.1% and iron ore surging more than three percent. l

Private equity set to extend India surge in 2016n Reuters, Mumbai

Continued asset sales by India’s most indebt-ed � rms should help private equity players notch up a bumper 2016 in Asia’s third-larg-est economy, with more and larger deals sealing a revival begun with record invest-ments this year.

Private equity purchases are set to reach a new high of $10.89bn this year, surpassing the high water mark set in 2007, according to Thomson Reuters data. In 2014, private equi-ty investments totalled just $6bn.

Financial industry insiders expect that momentum to continue into 2016, as re-newed interest among private equity buyers feeds higher valuations. Among potential deals, GVK Group is considering selling 49% of unit GVK Airport Developers to private eq-uity players for around $600m.

“You will see other transactions also com-ing into the markets as result of stress where certain assets are hived o� ,” said Vikram Utamsingh, co-head of adviser Alvarez & Marsal’s India operations. He added deals were also looking larger.

“The size of transactions that we saw this year was just larger than the previous year,” Utamsingh said.

While 2015 investments included Black-stone’s purchase of the Indian unit of Brit-ish outsourcing � rm Serco for 250m pounds ($372m), India has so far been a “$20-23m average ticket-size market”, according to Utamsingh. l

People look at the exchange rate at a moneychanger displaying a poster of U.S. dollar bill, Chinese Yuan and Malaysia Ringgit in Singapore REUTERS

At Butlers, you get a complimentary chocolate with each drink you order. This helps to give you a good taster, with your co� ee or any other drink, and then the idea here is that you buy a box of chocolates as you leave! Its a wonderful business model and its been so well received – people are loving the chocolates, loving the gift boxes that we have.”

As the only chocolatier in Bangladesh, Butlers also o� ers a fully serviced, cafe-style menu, which includes sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and other types of savoury items. If you’re one with a sweet tooth, than you can always indulge in their world-famous chocolate lava cake, alongside their handmade chocolates.

All their chocolate is imported, so it comes directly from Dublin, specially packed, and under strict quality control regulations. “Through the factory it gets shipped to Bangladesh, from Chittagong we bring it to Dhaka, and here we have to make sure that we maintain the correct temperature so as to store correctly. There are so many factors to consider in bringing a little piece of Ireland, all the way to Bangladesh; there’s a lot of logistics involved,” explains Mehreen.

Intially, they had to do market research to � nd how receptive the local scene would be, as well as work to � nd an appropriate location for their store, and all of this took about two years. Then the installing, building and designing took a full one year, during which time, they worked with Charuta. “It’s taken quite a long time for us to establish, but at each step of the way, we wanted to make sure that we were consistent with our quality and make sure that our standards were on par with the rest of our stores all across the globe.”

Butlers believes in paying attention to detail, which is why they have a four week training programme for every member of their sta� , to ensure quality in the service they provide so that each customer feels special.

Their chocolate lava cake, Mehreen claims, is by far their best-seller across all their outlets. They replicate the exact same recipe which was conceptualised in Dublin, using the same premium quality ingredients. Their Chocolate Fudge Cake and Butlers Chocolate Temptation cake is directly imported from abroad, as is the ingredients for the croissants and the bread for their sandwiches, which is then freshly baked once here, so as to maintain the highest standard of quality. All there items, including their special chocolate sauce, are made fresh everyday, and other items like wa� es and pizzas (o� ered only in the evenings) are made to order.

They have � sh and chips, among their savoury items, which is a staple in Ireland and all across the British Isles, and they have also included spicy rice in their menu, to cater to the local palette. They also o� er a selection of teas, that they directly import from California.

Butlers Chocolate Cafe is open from 7:30am, all the way to 2:30am, with the aim to capture the whole market, from breakfast, all the way to o� ering a place for people to hang out after dinner parties, weddings and other events. l

nFarina Noireet

When Christopher Columbus and his son Ferdinand stumbled upon the cacao bean on Columbus’s fourth mission to the Americas during the 16th century, they had no idea of the impact this magical bean would have in Europe and the rest of the world. In fact, in the early days of discovery by European adventurers and navigators, the cacao drink, which was originally consumed by the native Aztecs as a beverage with chilli, as an after meal ritual, was anything but an instant hit with the newcomers. Jose de Acosta, a Spanish Jesuit missionary who lived in Peru and then Mexico in the later 16th century, mentioned it in his journals as, “a scum or froth that is very unpleasant taste. Yet it is a drink very much esteemed among the Indians, where with they feast noble men who pass through their country.”

It was only after its introduction to the Spanish court, however, where the Spanish added sugar, as well as honey, to counteract the natural bitterness, that then took the form of the sweet chocolate that we know and love today. From its potential as an aphrodisiac, to being a subtle solution to depression, chocolate has undeniably taken the world by storm.

And now, with the introduction of the newly opened Butlers Chocolate Cafe in Gulshan 2, we have world-class premium chocolates available to chocolate-lovers in Dhaka as well. Initially started o� in Dublin, Ireland by Marion Butler in 1932, Butlers has franchises in all across the globe, including, England, Pakistan, New Zealand and Dubai.

Mehreen Gheewala, Managing Director at Butlers Chocolate Cafe Bangladesh Limited, claims that the welcome in Dhaka has so far been “phenomenal”.

“I think there’s a very well-established

food and beverage market in Bangladesh already; you’ve got some great restaurants, you’ve got very � ne-dining eateries. I think what’s special here at Butlers is creating an ambiance, where you get a little bit of Europe in this side of the world, which is why this is one of a kind.

There’s something very special about Butlers, and that is the ambiance that

we create, and we have invested a lot of time, energy and money into creating this luxurious atmosphere that’s accessible to everybody. And it caters to all age groups, right down to little children, sipping on hot chocolate, right up to adults, who’ll just come in to buy a box of chocolates or grab some food to go, or simply sit here and people watch over a cup of co� ee.

Butlers Chocolate Cafe

Review 19D

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

PHOTOS: BUTLERS CHOCOLATE CAFE

Downtime20DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

DILBERT

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.

CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

CODE-CRACKER

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a di� erent letter of the alphabet. For example, today 15 represents L so � ll L every time the � gure 15 appears.You have two letters in the control grid to start you o� . 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, � ll in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check o� the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

CROSSWORD

Across1 Maximum (4)5 Henhouse (5)9 Tempt (6)10 Owing (3)11 At hand (4)12 Burdened (5)14 Decoration (5)16 Article (4)19 Part of a church (4)21 Examines (5)24 Tree (5)27 Subtle Emanation (4)29 Sheltered side (3)30 One’s right wits (6)31 Cavalry weapon (5)32 Retained (4)

Down 1 Bill of fare (4)2 United (3)3 Pollen-bearer (6)4 Weary (4)5 Tells a story (7)6 Strange (3)7 Prosecute (3)8 Looks after (5)13 Beverage (3)15 Multiform (7)17 Misapply (6)18 Play for time (5)20 Consumed (3)22 Army weapon (4)23 Quick (4)25 Meadow (3)26 Lair (3)28 Corded fabric (3)

SUDOKU

INSIDE

21D

TWorldWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Cameron’s Brexit riddle: Row with EU or with Eurosceptics?When David Cameron urged European Union leaders last week to do a deal to keep Britain in the bloc, he knew he will have to to face a riddle that has haunted Conservative prime ministers for three decades: a row with Eu-rope or a row with Eurosceptics at home? PAGE 22

India lowers juvenile trial age after Delhi gang rape furoreIndia passed legislation lowering the age at which someone can be tried for rape and other crimes to 16, spurred into action by an uproar over the release of a minor convict-ed in a 2012 fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman on a Delhi bus. PAGE 23

What next for Spain after inconclusive election?Spain woke up with a political headache this week after the incumbent conservatives won a weekend election but lost their absolute majority, tailed by the Socialists and far-left upstart party Podemos. PAGE 24

Q&A

One million and counting: Migrants/refugees reach European shoresThe International Organization for Migra-tion says its statistics show the number of people � eeing con� ict or poverty who have arrived in the European Union by sea this year has hit the seven-digit mark.

Despite increased coast-guard patrols, razor-wire topped fences, tightened se-curity, the reintroduction of border con-trols, new laws and refugee distribution schemes, nothing has slowed down the arrivals.

More than two years after the drown-ing of over 400 people o� Italy’s southern coast brought cries of “never again,” every record has been broken in 2015. The IOM says the total number of arrivals is more than four times that of last year.

Here are some questions and answers about how the EU is handling the crisis--

Q1. Where are they coming from?A1. About half of the people entering Eu-rope in 2015 were Syrians, while 20% were Afghans and 7% Iraqis, the IOM said.

Q2. How are they getting to Europe?A2. Most people arriving in Europe are now entering Greece after taking short trips on rickety boats or in� atable rafts from Turkey. The IOM says more than 820,000 came that way in 2015, many � eeing wars in Syria and Iraq. More than 150,000 have crossed the Mediterranean to Italy this year, mostly from the Libyan coast. Nearly 3,700 are dead or missing, mostly along those two routes. As winter closes in, the colder weather appears to have slowed the � ow somewhat, although this is unlikely to last long.

Q3. Where are they heading?A3. Most who come via Greece travel by foot and on trains, buses and trucks north and west through central Europe, en route to the more prosperous countries of west-ern Europe. Germany, which has taken in hundreds of thousands of people this year, and Sweden have been among the most welcoming.

Q4. What’s been done?A4. The EU has beefed up the Frontex bor-der agency and launched a naval opera-tion to hunt human tra� ckers. To ease the number of arrivals and prevent dangerous journeys across the sea, EU nations agreed to resettle some refugees by bringing them directly from countries outside Europe. EU teams were sent to Greece and Italy to fast-track migrant registration and sort out whether those arriving should quali-fy for international protection or be sent home. Twenty-three nations also agreed to share 160,000 refugees in Greece and Italy to lighten the two countries’ burden. The EU is also investing funds, assistance and assets in Turkey and countries neigh-boring Libya that migrants leave or travel across to get to Europe.

Q5. Then how did it get so bad?A5. Europe has been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and the response has been slow. The EU initially tried to respond with policy changes and refused to treat the continent’s biggest refugee crisis since World War II as a humanitarian emergen-cy. Border guards and reception facilities were swamped. As the control of Europe’s

external borders broke down, countries desperate to halt the in� ux took unilater-al measures that undermined con� dence and trust, mainly closing borders without informing their neighbors, causing chaos as people looked for alternate routes. A key policy, the system to share 160,000 refugees, has moved at snail’s pace. As of December 15, three months after it was in-troduced, just over 200 people had moved to other countries. Moreover, of the peo-ple whose asylum or residency applica-tions have been turned down, just over one in three are actually sent home.

What more is in the pipeline?In an e� ort to stanch the � ow, the EU will give Turkey €3bn to cope with Syrian ref-ugees and ease visa restrictions for Turk-ish nationals. It has already sped up An-kara’s membership process. In exchange, Turkey is to crack down on migrants leaving for Greece. To better control the Turkey-Greece maritime border, the EU will look to endorse before July a Euro-pean border and coast guard, a new agen-cy that would monitor external borders and intervene when countries are unable or unwilling to respond to big migrant movements. In March, the EU’s execu-tive arm will introduce ‘smart borders’ policies to control entry and exit, better register travelers and change the rules governing the Schengen passport-free zone that allows people to travel with-out border checks or visas through many countries in Europe. l

Source: AP

INSIGHT

Cameron’s Brexit riddle: Row with EU or with Eurosceptics?

n Reuters, London

When David Cameron urged European Union leaders last week to do a deal to keep Britain in the bloc, he knew he will have to to face a riddle that has haunted Conservative prime ministers for three decades: a row with Europe or a row with Eurosceptics at home?

Cameron’s bid to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s mem-bership of the bloc ahead of a referendum he sought mid-2016, has hit the rocks over a demand to make working EU migrants wait four years before getting some bene� ts.

EU partners call that measure impossible while Conserv-ative opponents of membership have pounced on hints that he may drop it as evidence that the renegotiation is a chore-ographed sham that will end in a fudged deal early next year.

Senior Conservative Eurosceptics are waiting to see the � nal results of Cameron’s high wire act before making their views explicit, though Defence Secretary Michael Fallon quipped in October that “We’re all Eurosceptics now”.

Pro-Europeans fear Cameron could edge Britain towards an accidental Brexit if he overplays his hand in talks to appease sceptics in his party and senior Conservatives who are jockey-ing for a battle to succeed him due before 2020.

A British exit would rock the Union - already shaken by dif-ferences over migration and the future of the euro zone - by ripping away its second largest economy, one of its top two military powers and by far its richest city, London.

An exit from the EU could also trigger the break-up of the United Kingdom by prompting another Scottish independ-ence vote. The $2.9tn British economy would face years of un-certain negotiations over the terms of a divorce.

Cameron says he will recommend Britain stays in the EU if he gets what he wants but has repeatedly warned that he rules nothing out if he doesn’t - code for campaigning to leave, a step that would make Brexit highly likely.

The timing of the referendum is uncertain but Cameron has said he would prefer it as soon as possible. If he gets a deal in February, as European Council President Donald Tusk has said is possible, the vote could be as early as June.

Opponents of EU membership say that it took back full sov-ereignty, Britain could prosper as a global trading centre out-side a bloc they say has slipped far behind rivals.

Opinion polls show British voters are evenly split over mem-bership with a signi� cant number of people who have yet to makeup their mind, though perceptions that the EU has failed to deal with the migrant crisis may be turning towards a Brexit.

Europe has divided the Conservative Party for three dec-ades and played a major part in the downfall of two of Cam-eron’s two Conservative predecessors, Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

Major, prime minister from 1990 to 1997, was undermined by Eurosceptic Conservatives whom he famously called “bas-tards”. Cameron has a majority of 16 in parliament, smaller than Major’s after the 1992 election.

The EU in� ames such passions that Cameron warned in 2006 that the party had to stop “banging on” about Europe.

But less than seven years later, under pressure from law-makers who feared the electoral success of the anti-EU UK Independence Party, Cameron promised a referendum on membership.

So far his renegotiation has failed to impress Conservative Eurosceptics who believe the leaders of the euro zone must forge a much deeper political union to save the euro.

Cameron has demanded a promise than any deal he gets would be enshrined in a future EU treaty.

Up to a third of Cameron’s cabinet, including Home Secre-tary Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Busi-ness Secretary Sajid Javid and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith - have expressed Eurosceptic sentiments.

Cameron is likely to eventually secure agreement on most

of his demands, including a call for better regulation and more open markets to promote growth, though no deal is yet draft-ed, partly due to the deadlock over in-work bene� ts.

His manifesto pledge to introduce in a four-year residen-cy rule for migrants seeking tax credits and social housing has created the most concern because it would discriminate among EU citizens and hence breach EU law and precedent. l

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 201522D

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WorldSOUTH ASIAPakistan arrest 66 Indian � shermenPakistani coastguard on Monday arrested 66 Indian � shermen for allegedly violating Pakistan’s territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, police said. Fida Hussain Janwari, a sen-ior police o� cial in Karachi, said Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency also captured 10 boats belonging to the � shermen. The two countries frequently carry out such arrests as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea. AFP

INDIA10 killed as BSF charter plane crashes near DelhiAll 10 people on board were killed when a small Ranchi-bound aircraft, carrying o� cials of the Indian Border Security Force crashed near Delhi airport shortly after take-o� on Tuesday morning. The charter plane, crashed after it hit a wall nearly 5km from the Delhi airport. “Pained by the loss of life in the BSF plane crash. My thoughts are with the family of the deceased,” Modi tweeted. TOI

CHINAChina calls on US to respect China’s core interestsThe US needs to respect China’s core in-terests, including stopping weapons sales to Taiwan and ending military patrols close to islets controlled by China in the South China Sea, the country’s foreign minister told his US counterpart. In a tele-phone call with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the call, the offcial Chinese news agency reported. REUTERS

ASIA PACIFICAustralia: IS eyeing Indonesia for ‘distant caliphate’IS is working to boost its presence in Indo-nesia with dreams of creating a “distant caliphate” in the world’s most populous Mus-lim-majority country, Australia warned on Tuesday. Australian Attorney General George Brandis, said the group constituted a threat to Australian and Western interests. AFP

MIDDLE EASTGreek parliament backs recognising PalestineGreece’s parliament approved a resolution on Tuesday calling on the government to recognise the state of Palestine, in a special session attended by the visiting Palestinian president. All Greece’s parliamentary parties voted in favour of the move, the assembly’s president Nikos Voutsis said. It urges the Greek government to “promote appropriate procedures for the recognition of a Palestinian state and every diplomatic e� ort for the resumption of discussions for peace” in the region, Voutsis added. Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras an-nounced Monday after talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas that Greece would no longer refer on o� cial documents to the Palestinian Authority, but rather to Palestine. REUTERS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 201523

DT

Afghan forces battle hard to block Taliban advance in Helmandn AFP, Kandahar

Military planes Tuesday dropped food and ammunition to besieged Afghan forces in Sangin after Taliban insurgents captured large swathes of the opium-growing south-ern district, as British military advisers were deployed to the region.

The radical jihadists broke through the frontlines of the strategic district on Sunday after days of � erce clashes, tightening their grip on the volatile province of Helmand.

Fleeing local residents reported bloody gun� ghts as the Taliban advanced on the district centre, highlighting a worsening security situation across Afghanistan a year after Nato formally ended its combat oper-ations.

“We are air-dropping food supplies, mil-itary equipment and ammunition to sup-port our forces in Sangin,” defence ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanesh said.

“Sporadic � ghting is going on around the district,” he said, rejecting reports of high military casualties and asserting that the district had not fallen to the Taliban.

All but two of Helmand’s 14 districts are e� ectively controlled or heavily contested by Taliban insurgents, o� cials said.

Insurgents also recently overran Babaji, a suburb of Lashkar Gah, fuelling concern that the provincial capital could fall.

Afghan forces have struggled to rein in the ascendant insurgency without the full backing of Nato forces.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation in Sangin, long seen as a hornet’s nest of in-surgent activity, Britain on Tuesday said its troops had been deployed in Helmand.

A statement from the British defence ministry did not specify the number de-ployed, but insisted they would not be en-

gaged in combat.US special forces were also recently dis-

patched to Helmand to assist Afghan forces, a senior Western o� cial con� rmed earlier this week.

The deployments come a year after the US-led Nato formally ended its combat mis-sion in Afghanistan, adopting a training and advisory role to local forces.

Sangin, at the centre of Afghanistan’s lu-crative opium trade that funds the insurgen-

cy, has been the scene of � erce � ghting for years between the Taliban and Nato forces.

The latest unrest in Helmand comes as President Ashraf Ghani has made a diplo-matic outreach to Pakistan -- the Taliban’s historic backers -- aimed at restarting peace talks with the insurgents.

Pakistan hosted a � rst round of negotia-tions in July but the talks stalled when the Taliban belatedly con� rmed the death of longtime leader Mullah Omar. l

India lowers juvenile trial age after Delhi gang rape furoren Reuters, New Delhi

India passed legislation lowering the age at which someone can be tried for rape and other crimes to 16, spurred into action by an uproar over the release of a minor convict-ed in a 2012 fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman on a Delhi bus.

Parents of the victim had led demand for amendments to the law after their daugh-ter was repeatedly raped and beaten by the 17-year-old minor as well as � ve adult com-panions. The woman died of her injuries two weeks later at a Singapore hospital.

Four adults in the case, which drew worldwide condemnation, were sentenced to death while the � fth hanged himself in prison. The death penalties have yet to be carried out.

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said on Tuesday the legis-lation aimed to strike a balance between the rights of a child and the need to deter heinous

juvenile crimes, especially against women.“Juvenile crime is the fastest rising seg-

ment in the country and the bill will help to stop (this),” she said. “The new law will de-cide whether a child committed the crime in a childish or adult frame of mind.”

India’s upper house of parliament passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill by a voice vote, paving the way for lowering the minimum age for a criminal trial to 16 from 18, depending on the gravity of the o� ence.

The lower house had already passed the bill. It will become law once President Pra-nab Mukherjee signs it, likely a formality.

Current law de� nes a person under 18 as a juvenile and caps punishment at three years in a correctional home. Under the new law, 16- and 17-year-olds can be tried as adults, with corresponding sentences of up to life in prison or even the death penalty, depending on the severity of the crime.

The release last Sunday of the teenag-

er involved in the 2012 gang rape sparked street protests by students and the victim’s mother, Asha Devi. Police had accused the teenager of gory violence, including pulling out a part of the woman’s intestines with his hands.

“I understand that a change in law will not a� ect my daughter’s case, but a serious crime even if it is committed by a minor should not be overlooked,” Devi said before the legislation was adopted.

India’s National Crime Records Bureau data shows that 16- to 18-year-olds account for a majority of minors arrested for crimes but activists said the latest amendment vi-olated child rights and would not stem sex crimes.

“Lawmakers have committed a blunder by changing the law,” said Shahbaz Khan, programme coordinator at Haq, a centre for child rights in New Delhi. “They have tak-en an emotional decision and only children will su� er the most.” l

FACTBOX

What next for Spain after inconclusive election?Spain woke up with a political headache this week after the incumbent conservatives won a weekend election but lost their absolute ma-jority, tailed by the Socialists and far-left upstart party Podemos.

The results mean that the ruling Popular Par-ty (PP) now has the unenviable task of trying to form a stable government -- or risk getting boot-ed out altogether.

The PP obtained 123 seats -- 63 less than in 2011 -- the Socialist PSOE followed with 90, then Podemos with 69, centre-right Ciudadanos with 40 and smaller parties the remainder.

Here are the scenarios that could emerge over what are likely to be weeks of di� cult ne-gotiations to form a stable government in the eurozone’s fourth largest economy--

Conservatives rule as minority governmentAfter holding talks with the leaders of each party that has won seats in parliament, King Felipe VI, the head of state, will nominate a prime minister -- most likely incumbent premier and PP leader Mariano Rajoy. The nominated leader must then win a vote of con� dence in parliament in order to take o� ce. One option could be that centre-right upstart Ciudadanos, led by the slick 36-year-old Albert Rivera, and the PSOE abstain in the vote of con� dence, allowing the PP through. But that would mean that the PP would constantly be ne-gotiating any bill it wants to pass through parlia-ment. And analysts say it would almost certainly lead to a short-lived legislature as there will come a time when other parties will clash with the PP due to their fundamentally di� erent ideologies, leading to early elections.

Left-wing/nationalist coalition to oust PPIf the PSOE, Podemos and other smaller left-wing and nationalist parties grouped together, they could obtain the 176 seats needed for an abso-lute majority and boot out the PP -- in a similar scenario to events in neighbouring Portugal. A highly unlikely scenario, analysts say, as Podem-os will not want to get into bed with the PSOE -- vying as it is to replace it as the country’s main left-wing party. And among those parties would be two separatist groupings in the northeastern region of Catalonia that won a total of 17 seats in parliament. And that’s where the scenario becomes near impossible. The PSOE is fervently against independence in Catalonia, where a se-cessionist movement is on the rise, and oppos-es holding a Scotland-style referendum in the

wealthy region. Podemos, for its part, does not want to see Catalonia separate from the rest of Spain but is in favour of letting the region have its say in a referendum.

A grand coalitionAn alliance between Spain’s long-established ri-vals -- the PP and the PSOE -- could happen if all else fails.

New electionsIf negotiations fail and no government is formed within two months after the � rst vote of con� -dence, the king will have no other option but to call fresh elections. l

Source: AFP

WorldUSATrump verbally abused Hillary’s 2008 presidential runLeading Republican presidential aspirant Donald Trump used a vulgarity to describe Hillary Clinton’s loss to Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination and then poked fun at her taking a bathroom break during a debate. “She was going to beat Oba-ma,” Trump said of Clinton in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “... She was going to beat - she was favoured to win - and she got schlonged (Yid-dish slang term for a penis). She lost. She lost.” “I thought she gave up,” Trump said. “Where did she go? Where did Hillary go? They had to start the debate without her. Phase II. I know where she went. It’s disgusting. I don’t want to talk about it,” Trump said. REUTERS

THE AMERICASNicaragua, Costa Rica welcome pope’s call for better tiesCentral American neighbours Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which have butted heads on a number of issues, publicly welcomed a call by Pope Francis that they strive for “reciprocal cooperation.” But neither country looked ready to take the � rst step to build what the pope said on Sunday should be “a renewed spirit of fraternity.” The ponti� ’s call was aimed at overcoming simmering resentment between the two over long-running border disputes. AFP

UKUK tabloid Sun forced to print corrigendum over Corbyn claim The Sun has been forced to print a front-page correction over a claim that the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was willing to join the privy council because his party stood to bene� t � nancially. The Sun reported that Corbyn “will kiss the Queen’s hand on bended knee in a humiliating personal climbdown.” THE GUARDIAN

EUROPE11 migrants, including 3 children, drown o� TurkeyEleven migrants bound for EU member Greece, including three children, drowned o� the Turkish coast on Tuesday when their boat sank in the latest tragedy in the Aegean Sea, the state-run Anatolia news agency said. Seven people were rescued in the incident o� Turkey’s Aegean Sea resort of Kusadasi. The migrants appeared to have been trying to reach the Greek island of Samos which lies opposite Kusadasi. AFP

AFRICAS Sudan rebels, govt meet to push peaceCease� re monitors in South Sudan welcomed the � rst meeting of rebel and government representatives in the capital on Tuesday aimed at ending the civil war but warned of “empty gestures.” On Monday, an advance team of rebel delegates arrived in Juba, tasked with beginning the formation of a transitional government of national unity. AFP

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 201524D

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INSIGHT

Assam’s border farmers fenced in by changing climate conditionsn Thomson Reuters Foundation, Dhubri

Golok Das, a farmer in India’s northeast Assam state, is happy with the harvest pro-duced by his main 6-hectare farm. But he’d love to sell another 4-hectare plot, just half a kilometre away, even though it’s equally fertile.

Why? It sits on the other side of a barbed-wire fence marking the Bangladesh border, and that means he can’t irrigate it.

The fence was built in 1987 to prevent illegal migration from Bangladesh to India. It traces a line about 150 yards inside the ac-tual border, on Indian land, since no treaty agreement allowed a fence to be built on the border itself.

Large tracts of Indian land, including some villages, were left on the far side of the fence. In the Golokganj sector of Dhubri district, more than 8,000 farmers struggle with a fence between their homes and their land. They are allowed to cross though the fence each day to work their holdings, but

only at set hours.Now changing climatic conditions in the

region for the � rst time require farmers to irrigate their land frequently to get a good crop - but legal and bureaucratic obstacles make it hard to invest in irrigation on the far side of the fence, meaning harvests there are two-thirds lower than those on the In-dian side.

Less grain across the fenceFarmers say their land on the Indian side of the fence yields nearly 1,500kg of rice a year, while an equivalent area on the Bang-ladesh side produces no more than 500kg.

By law, construction of any concrete or permanent structure is forbidden near the fence, local people say.

Sarkar said that even taking tractors onto the land requires a lengthy bureaucratic process.

Local people worry they will have to give up farming on the Bangladeshi side of the fence as a result of the weather changes, and

complain that neither the district adminis-tration nor the Indian government’s Border Security Force (BSF) have been sympathetic to their problems.

8 to 4 farmersGates to cross the border are open from 8am to 4pm, a farmer said, and outside these times no Indian citizen is allowed to work land on the Bangladesh side.

In addition, he said, people living on the Bangladeshi side of the border sometimes damage Indian-owned crops or harvest them, leaving Indian growers with no pro-duce to show for their labour.

Farmers and civil society groups have long urged India’s government to purchase their land on the other side of the fence.

Members of Nagarik Unnayan Mancha, a civil society group, say they plan to � le a pe-tition on the issue at the Gauhati high court.

The state government, however, says that it cannot act alone on a matter a� ecting the country’s border. l

Source: Interior ministry

(as a %)

CiudadanosPodemos

2220.713.9

28.7

3.7

Spain: results of the leglislative electionDefinitive results

Centre-right

PPRight

IU PSOEEcologists-

CommunistsSocialistsRadical

le�

11

Others

Non-voters26.80%

25D

TSportINSIDE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Leg-spin in Bangladesh, a curse and a dying artEver since Bangladesh played their inaugural Test 15 years ago, the Tigers have been unable to produce a specialist leg-spinner, apart from the unlucky youngster, Jubair Hossain Likhon. Be it the national side or even in the domestic circuit, there was, and still is, a lack of genuine leggies. PAGE 26

‘Jose paid price for players’ loss of motivation’Carlo Ancelotti believes that “a lack of motivation” among the Chelsea players cost Jose Mourinho his job at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho led the Blues to the Premiership title last season but they endured a shocking start to the campaign with a 2-1 loss at Leicester last Monday week proving the � nal nail in the co� n. PAGE 27

Life at the Bridge after the Special One’s departureIt was the � rst time this season that the Blues played without Jose Mourinho and the fans did not hesitate to back their former manager for a minute. The Blues fans still believe the squad is to be blamed for Jose’s downfall and they mercilessly jeered their own players. PAGE 28

McCullum announces international retirement New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum announced yesterday he will retire from international cricket in February. The 34-year-old McCullum will become the � rst cricketer to play 100 consecutive Test matches when he takes the � eld in the � rst Test against Australia in Wellington from Feb. 12. PAGE 29

Arambagh fans vandalise BFF Housen Tribune Report

In a sad turn of events, Arambagh Krira Sang-ha supporters attacked and vandalised the Bangladesh Football Federation headquar-ters in the capital yesterday.

The untoward incident occurred after Ar-ambagh lost to Bangladesh Police 3-2 in their � nal match of the Bangladesh Championship League’s � rst phase yesterday afternoon.

The club is located in Motijheel’s Aram-bagh area and following their defeat at Bir Sre-shtha Mustafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur, a few fans and o� cials came to the BFF House and ambushed the reception room. The fans caused further unrest, breaking the glass win-dows of the building and a number of vehicles in the federation premises. Police arrived at the scene half an hour after the incident and took control of the situation. BFF o� cials in-formed that around 30-40 attackers were in-volved. And to add to the concern, the recent-ly crowned Bangladesh Under-14 girls were also at the BFF House during the incident. l

Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam (2R) and head coach Maruful Haque (4R) are all smiles during the pre-Sa� Suzuki Cup 2015 press conference in Kerala, India yesterday BFF

Coaches fume, chaos reigns ahead of Sa� n Agencies

Absolute chaos reigned as the arrange-ments for the SAFF Championship that starts here today have fallen � at on all fronts.

Coaches of the participating teams came down heavily on the way things have been organised at the pre-tournament press meeting which was held here yesterday.

Indian coach Stephen Constantine said there is nothing that is properly organised here ahead of the premier football tourna-ment in the South Asian region.

“Tell me one thing that is in place for this year’s SAFF tournament. We are all disap-pointed with the way things have been or-

ganised here,” said an angry Constantine.Patrick Aussems, coach of the Nepal team,

said it took more than � ve hours of waiting in the hotel lobby to move into their rooms.

“We were sent to the wrong hotel � rst and then had to wait � ve hours in the lobby before we could get into our rooms,” fumed Aussems. The tournament begins today and ends on January 3. Host nation India, besides six other teams including defending champions Afghanistan, will compete for the trophy.

The other teams include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Pakistan, who were originally scheduled to compete here, have not turned up.l

Broken glasses are seen lying inside the Bangladesh Football Federation headquarters in Motijheel yesterday following a sudden attack by the Arambagh KS supporters MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

We are ready to play in the 2015 SAFF Championship against Afghanistan

tomorrow. My team worked extremely hard in the last two weeks.

The side is now more experienced because they have played together in several World Cup quali� ers and international friendlies this year. I hope my charges will give a good

account of themselves.MARUFUL HAQUE

Bangladesh head coach

26DT Sport

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

BCB con� rms Asia Cup T20 datesn Tribune Report

The � rst-ever Asia Cup in the Twenty20 for-mat will be hosted by Bangladesh in Feb-ruary 2016, con� rmed Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive o� cer Nizamuddin Chowdhury.

Keeping the World T20 in March in mind, the Asian Cricket Council opted to change the 50-over format of the tournament to T20s.

The 2016 edition will be the third consec-utive time the tournament will be played in Bangladesh.

“The main stage of the Asia Cup 2016 will start from February 24 and the � nal of the tournament will take place on March 6,” said Nizamuddin yesterday.

Apart from Asian giants Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, anoth-er ICC associate nation among Afghani-stan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Hong Kong - who will play the quali� er round from February 19 – will partake in the tournament.

Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur and the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali sta-dium in Fatullah are the expected venues to be in use. l

Karachi bag Mush� q after Shakibn Mazhar Uddin

Karachi Kings scooped up Tigers Test skipper Mush� qur Rahim during the second and � -nal day of the Pakistan Super League players’ draft yesterday. He will team up with compa-triot Shakib al Hasan alongside his BPL team-mate Ravi Bopara.

Mush� q, who went unsold in the Gold category on the previous day, was bagged by the Kings by $25,000 from the Silver cat-egory. Shakib was bought from the Platinum category with a remuneration of $140,000. Mush� q was the Kings’ fourth foreign re-cruit after Bopara, Shakib and Lendl Sim-mons. The Kings also con� rmed the services of Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Amir and Bilawal Bhatti.

On Monday, left-arm seamer Musta� zur Rahman – to Lahore Qalandars – and Tamim Iqbal – to Peshawar Zalmi – were bought for $50,000 each.

Bangladeshi cricketers Soumya Sarkar, Shahriar Nafees, Mahmudullah, Mominul Haque and Anamul Haque Bijoy went unsold during day two of the PSL draft in Lahore. The franchise-based Twenty20 tournament is scheduled for February in Dubai. l

PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE SQUADSISLAMABAD UNITED

1 Shane Watson, 2 Andre Russell, 3 Misbah-ul-Haq, 4 Samuel Badree, 5 Mohammad Irfan, 6 Brad Haddin,

7 Sharjeel Khan, 8 Mohammad Sami, 9 Khalid Latif, 10 Babar Azam, 11 Imran

Khalid, 12 Kamran Ghulam, 13 Umar Amin, 14 Sam Billings, 15 Rumman Raees, 16

Amad Butt, 17 Ashar Zaidi, 18 Saeed Ajmal, 19 Hussain Talat,

20 Umar Siddiq

KARACHI KINGS1 Shoaib Malik, 2 Shakib Al Hasan,

3 Sohail Tanvir, 4 Imad Wasim, 5 Ravi Bopara, 6 Lendl Simmons, 7 Mohammad

Amir, 8 Bilawal Bhatti, 9 James Vince, 10 Iftikhar Ahmed, 11 Nauman Anwar,

12 Mush� qur Rahim, 13 Usama Mir, 14 Sohail Khan, 15 Mir Hamza,

16 Sa� ullah Bangash, 17 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 18 Shahzaib Hasan,

19 Fawad Alam

PESHAWAR ZALMI1 Shahid Afridi, 2 Wahab Riaz, 3 Darren

Sammy, 4 Kamran Akmal, 5 Mohammad Hafeez, 6 Chris Jordan, 7 Tamim Iqbal, 8 Junaid Khan, 9 Jim Allenby, 10 Aamer

Yamin, 11 Dawid Malan, 12 Imran Khan jr, 13 Shahid Yousuf, 14 Abdur Rehman, 15

Musadiq Ahmed, 16 Hasan Ali, 17 Mohammad Asghar, 18 Brad Hodge,

19 Israrullah, 20 Taj Wali

QUETTA GLADIATORS1 Kevin Pietersen, 2 Sarfraz Ahmed,

3 Ahmed Shehzad, 4 Anwar Ali, 5 Jason Holder, 6 Luke Wright, 7 Zul� qar Babar, 8 Umar Gul, 9 Elton Chigumbura,

10 Bilal Asif, 11 Asad Sha� q, 12 Mohammad Nawaz, 13 Saad Nasim, 14 Mohammad

Nabi, 15 Akbar-ur-Rehman, 16 Bismillah Khan, 17 Kumar Sangakkara, 18 Aizaz

Cheema, 19 Rameez Raja Jnr

LAHORE QALANDARS1 Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Bravo, 3 Umar Akmal, 4 Mohammad Rizwan, 5 Yasir Shah,

6 Shoaib Maqsood, 7 Musta� zur Rahman, 8 Kevon Cooper, 9 Cameron Delport, 10 Zafar Gohar, 11 Hammad Azam, 12 Zia-ul-Haq, 13 Zohaib Khan, 14 Azhar Ali, 15 Naved Yasin, 16 Adnan Rasool, 17 Abdul Razzaq, 18 Mukhtar Ahmed, 19 Ehsan Adil, 20 Imran Butt

Leg-spin in Bangladesh, a curse and a dying artn Mazhar Uddin

Ever since Bangladesh played their inaugural Test 15 years ago, the Tigers have been unable to produce a specialist leg-spinner, apart from the unlucky youngster, Jubair Hossain Likhon. And even though Jubair is a current Test player, he is not taken seriously and can hardly be called a regular.

Be it the national side or even in the domestic circuit, there was, and still is, a lack of genuine leggies.

According to the previous list of contracted � rst-class cricketers drawn up by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, there were 105 players but among them, only two were leg-spinners; Noor Hossain Munna and Tanveer Haider. To make matters worse, Tanveer was generally termed a batting-all-rounder, leaving Munna as the sole representative of the dying art.

A few players like Sabbir Rahman and Alok Kapali are known to bowl leggies every once in a while but none of them are considered key bowl-ers for their respective domestic sides.

It is widely suggested that the young and aspiring cricketers, playing in di� erent age-level groups, hardly take up leg-spin as a serious option due to the di� culties that are associated with the craft.

Questions therefore, rise automatically as to whether the board is at all concerned to remedy the situation whereas the other Test-playing nations are placing a lot of importance on this art.

One such instance is that of Raihan Uddin Ara-fat, who has 31 � rst-class wickets to his name in 16 matches. However, very few paid any attention to those � gures as Arafat had to struggle in order to � nd a team in longer-version cricket. His division, Chittagong, nearly pushed him towards obscurity due to the presence of an arsenal of left-arm spinners.

Arafat did feature for a few domestic sides in

Old DOHS and Brothers Union but it is safe to say he was ignored for red-ball cricket; Bangladesh’s weakest format among all three.

Another leg-spinner in age-level cricket was the highly-rated Humayun Kabir Shaheen, who played in all the levels alongside Tigers Test captain Mush� qur Rahim, maverick all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and dashing opening batsman Tamim Iqbal.

Whereas Mush� q, Shakib and Tamim are now

� ying high with the Tigers as established crick-eters, Shaheen was lost to the wilderness. The once-talented leggie is now looking for one last opportunity after being ignored for the domestic competitions in the last few years.

Shaheen, now 26, bagged 33 wickets in 10 � rst-class matches and also holds the record of scalping four wickets from 7.2 overs without con-ceding a single run against the Cricket Association of Bengal Under-16 team in India. This tie took

place more than a decade ago and his skipper was a certain Mush� q.

The man in question, Shaheen is of the opinion that being a leg-spinner these days is a curse. He is even contemplating quitting the sport he dearly loves.

“There was a time when I used to take wickets regularly and often played the leading role for my team in age-level cricket. And, it was a dream for me to play for the national team where most of them with whom I played with are now big stars of Bangladesh. On the other hand, I am nowhere,” a downtrodden Shaheen told Dhaka Tribune last Sunday.

“I think I did not get enough opportunities till now to prove my ability after returning from a ligament injury two years back. I did not even play a � rst-class game in the last seven years,” he said, dejection clearly showing in his face.

“Sometimes I feel, if I was a batsman or a left-arm spinner, things might have been di� erent and I would have been able to continue playing cricket,” he added.

Bangladesh Cricket Board’s game develop-ment manager Nazmul Abedin Fahim knows all too well why the Tigers are failing in their quest to prepare a leg-spinner. Fahim, mentor of Shakib, Mush� q and several other star cricketers, believes a lack of a role model is hampering Bangladesh’s chances of producing a leggie.

“I think we lack a role model for the leg-spin-ners as everyone wants to be Shakib or Tamim nowadays. Obviously, it’s a di� cult art which needs proper guidance. The probable leggies also require a free license in order to master the art,” Fahim told Dhaka Tribune last Sunday.

“Although we did not have any spin-bowling camp in the recent past, but still, we have a plan to work with the spinners in the near future. And if possible, we may hunt for leg-spinners from all over the country and include them in the various age-level camps,” he concluded.l

Leg-spinner Humayun Kabir Shaheen bowls in the nets under the supervision of local coach Nazmul Abedin Fahim (2L) in Mirpur COURTESY

Sport 27D

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

‘Dull’ Murray wins BBC Sports Personality awardDavis Cup hero Andy Murray won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for 2015 at a star-studded reception in Belfast on Sunday. The world number two, who was picking up the honour for the second time, led Great Britain to their � rst Davis Cup title since 1936 last month.

–AFP

Arsenal’s Sanchez su� ers slight injury setbackArsenal could be without forward Alexis Sanchez for the busy Premier League Christmas programme after he aggravated a hamstring in-jury in training, manager Arsene Wenger said on Monday. Chilean Sanchez, who sustained the initial injury against Norwich City at the end of November, was thought to be in with a chance of returning for Monday’s home clash against Manchester City but was not on the bench.

–REUTERS

Australia call up Boland for injured Coulter-NileSelectors summoned Scott Boland into Australia’s squad yesterday ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in place of injured paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile. Coulter-Nile dislocated his right shoulder while � elding for the Perth Scorchers in a Big Bash League T20 match on Monday and was ruled out of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

–AFP

Beckham eyes Sweden’s Zlatan for MLS club David Beckham has barely found a new stadium site for his Miami-based Major League Soccer expansion team, and he already says he wants to sign Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Beck-ham told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that he is interested in the Paris Saint-Germain strik-er, according to a posting on the MLS website.

–AFP

Burns frets on Test spot as Khawaja set to returnAustralia opening batsman Joe Burns said yesterday he is unsure where he sits in the Test selection showdown against Shaun Marsh following the likely recall of Usman Khawaja to the side. Khawaja showed no ill-e� ects of a hamstring injury which sidelined him from Aus-tralia’s previous two Tests when he hammered 109 o� 70 balls for Big Bash League Twenty20 franchise Sydney Thunder on Sunday.

–AFP

Former Chelsea star Du� retiresFormer Chelsea and Republic of Ireland winger Damien Du� announced his retirement on Monday. Du� came through the youth ranks at Blackburn before moving onto Chelsea, Newcastle and then Fulham. The 36-year-old won two Premier League titles and the League Cup with Chelsea, lifted the League Cup with Blackburn and helped Fulham reach the 2010 Europa League � nal.

–AFP

QUICK BYTES Mourinho paid price for Chelsea players’ loss of motivation: Ancelottin Goal.com

Carlo Ancelotti believes that “a lack of motivation” among the Chelsea players cost Jose Mourinho his job at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho led the Blues to the Premier League ti-tle last season but they endured a shocking start to the 2015-16 campaign, losing nine of their opening 16 games, with a 2-1 loss at Leicester City last Monday week proving the � nal nail in the co� n for the Portu-guese coach.

After the defeat at the King Power Stadium, Mour-inho admitted that he felt “betrayed” by his players but Ancelotti - who was sacked by Chelsea in 2011, a year after leading the west London club to a domestic double - says that it is never easy to keep motivation levels high within a squad coming o� the back of a successful season.

“That is the most di� cult job for a coach because within a group, both one that is doing well and one that is doing badly, there are always problems to re-solve,” the Italian coach told Goal. “When things are going well, there is a risk of relaxation; when things are going badly, obviously there is a loss of con� dence.

“The coach must always keep a good balance in that sense, lifting the con� dence levels particularly when things don’t seem to be working.

“It’s a little of this that Mourinho paid for, the fact that the team had not started like last year, when they had a tremendous desire to do well after a bad year.

“This year it was exactly the opposite; he paid for the lack of motivation among the players.”

Ancelotti, of course, has just con� rmed that he will make his return to coaching next summer, having agreed to replace Pep Guardiola as Bayern Munich boss.

Succeeding the Catalan would appear to represent a daunting challenge, given the 44-year-old is bidding for a third successive Bundesliga title and gearing up for one � nal crack at the Champions League, with the Bavarians having su� ered disappointment at the semi-� nal stage for the past two seasons.

However, while Ancelotti has never coached in Ger-many before, the well-travelled Italian is neither intim-idated by the prospect of following Guardiola - nor by the challenge of adapting to a new culture.

“Nothing worries me,” the former PSG and Real Madrid boss stated. “I’m going to have a new and interesting experience and I’m certainly happy to discover a new coun-try, rich in stimuli.

“The thing that has enriched me most in these past few years has without doubt been getting to know di� erent cultures; the customs in various countries.

“I believe that it will be this kind of ex-perience in Germany; very interesting. Learning German? I’ve already started. I can con� rm that it’s not easy!

“The important thing, though, is to � nd a good player-coach relation-ship and to carry forward your beliefs, managing to convince the players of the merit of your ideas.

“Imposing things on players is never good. It’s important to � nd in the group the belief in what you are doing and to make sure it is accepted by all.

“Bayern are a great club and my objec-tive is to keep them competitive in Ger-many and in Europe.”

Indeed, Ancelotti admits that he is par-ticularly excited about plying his trade in what is o� cially the best supported league in the world.

“I believe that in Germany in recent years, after 2006, they made great invest-ments,” the 56-year-old mused. “They re-built the stadiums and they became a very competitive nation on a European level.

“I’m especially intrigued by the atmos-phere that I will face on the � eld, because it seems that the full stadia create a beautiful at-mosphere around the football. This is the thing that intrigues me most.”

Ancelotti says that he feels privileged to have been given yet another high-pro� le posi-tion within the game, confessing that he feels blessed by the opportunities that have come his way across a coaching career that began 20 years ago. l

Female cricketer sanctioned for betting on World Cup � nal n AP, Sydney

An Australian female cricketer has been given a suspended two-year ban for placing bets totaling only $9 on the men’s World Cup � nal.

Angela Reakes, who plays for the Syd-ney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League, pleaded guilty to breaches of Australia’s an-ti-corruption code by betting on the Man of the Match award in the March 29 � nal.

As well as her suspended ban, Reakes re-ceived an o� cial reprimand and will have to spend time educating other cricketers on an-ti-corruption issues.

Iain Roy, head of Cricket Australia’s integrity unit, said “all elite cricketers are

reminded regularly that betting on any form of cricket is strictly prohibited.” l

Serena, Djokovic named ‘world champ’n AFP, London

Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic were named the women’s and men’s players of the year by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) yesterday.

Both won three of the four Grand Slams in 2015 and are well clear in the world rankings.

Williams, who was named “ITF World Champion” for the sixth time, won � ve titles throughout the year, � nishing with a 53-3 win-loss record. After winning Wimbledon in July she also held all four Grand Slam titles at the same time for the second time in her career.

“It means a lot to me to be named the ITF World Champion for the sixth time. I am proud to have achieved my second Serena Slam, in what has been an amazing year for me,” she said in an ITF statement. l

28DT Sport

Arsenal’s English forward Theo Walcott (R) thumps in a delicious right-foot curler past Manchester City’s English goalkeeper Joe Hart during their EPL match at the Emirates stadium on Monday

REUTERS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

EPL STANDINGSTeam GP W D L GD PTS

1 Leicester City 17 11 5 1 13 38

2 Arsenal 17 11 3 3 17 36

3 Man City 17 10 2 5 14 32

4 Tottenham 17 7 8 2 14 29

5 Man United 17 8 5 4 8 29

6 Crystal Palace 17 9 2 6 7 29

7 Watford 17 8 4 5 5 28

8 West Ham 17 6 7 4 4 25

9 Liverpool 17 6 6 5 -2 24

10 Everton 17 5 8 4 7 23

11 Stoke City 17 6 5 6 -2 23

12 Southampton 17 5 6 6 0 21

13 West Brom 17 5 5 7 -6 20

14 Bournemouth 17 5 4 8 -10 19

15 Chelsea 17 5 3 9 -6 18

16 Norwich City 17 4 5 8 -9 17

17 Newcastle 17 4 5 8 -13 17

18 Swansea City 17 3 6 8 -9 15

19 Sunderland 17 3 3 11 -15 12

20 Aston Villa 17 1 4 12 -17 7

Life at the Bridge after the Special One’s departuren Faiza Iqbal

It was the � rst time this season that the Blues played without Jose Mourinho and the fans did not hesitate to back their former man-ager for a minute. With banners all around Stamford Bridge with the words - “The three rats - Hazard, Cesc and Costa”, “You let Jose down, you let us down”, and his name be-ing chanted across the entire stadium, Jose was the man of the day despite his absence. The Blues fans still believe the squad is to be blamed for Jose’s downfall and they merci-lessly jeered their own players, Diego Costa and Francesc Fabregas in particular, both during and after the game.

Chelsea fans vented their frustrations at the players with their “booing” all through-out the game. This created a huge pressure on the lads but despite everything, they de-livered quite a decent performance on the day which saw them � nally return to win-ning ways in the Premier League.

Pedro Rodriguez, who scored his � rst on Saturday since his debut goal, believes his teammate, Fabregas, is mentally very strong and will be able to overcome this di� cult situation. He said, “Cesc is a top player and a winner. I don’t say anything against the fans because they are a part of us.”

While Pedro took side of both his team-mate and the fans, John Terry had a di� erent opinion. The Chelsea captain thinks that the fans had the right to sing what they wanted. However, this is no new scenario for the Eng-lishman who has already bid farewell to a min-

imum of 10 Chelsea managers so far. He added, “I’ve been here before and seen it before. You have to move on, there’s no point in sulking.”

Meanwhile, interim manager Guus Hid-dink, who was appointed just 90 minutes before the kick-o� on Saturday has admitted that the team is not in a good state and a lot of work is needed to be done.

Speculation continues as the Blues remain in search for their next permanent manager. Names such as Manuel Pellegrini and Diego Simeone as the head coach and club legend Didier Drogba for a new coaching role are topping the rumour mills. While

the managerial hunt continues, Jose is making headlines again after several sources con� rmed that the Portuguese has agreed on a � ve-year deal to replace Louis Van Gaal as the Man United boss.

Chelsea got their much-needed three points with an impressive performance from the players who have been under-perform-ing during all these times. This win perhaps raised the biggest question of the moment; did the team start playing well now because Jose is gone and they are happy about it? Or did the absence of Jose’s tactical system really help them to switch on so fast in two days? l

Wenger’s side look well placed for title tilt“Looking forward to watching the battle for second place,” tweeted Gary Lineker prior to kick-o� and few can blame the Match of the Day presenter for revelling in the incredible form being shown by Leicester, the club he once played for and has sup-ported all his life. As it transpired, Arsenal won the aforementioned battle with a display that combined attacking ruthlessness with defensive discipline and, in those � nal frantic stages after Yaya Touré had pulled one back for City, good old-fashioned luck. Arsène Wenger’s side now sit two points behind Leicester and having won a crucial encounter, will fancy picking up points in their next three games, Bournemouth and Newcastle. If they do so then, for all of Leicester’s brilliance, you’d have to fancy Arse-nal being the ones in pole position when the sides go head-to-head at the Emirates on 13 February.

City are shaky in defence and blunt up frontFor Manchester City the sense of deja vu must have been inescapable. They had the lion’s share of possession and territory but were ultimately undone by an Arsenal side that was ruthless on the counter-attack – just as had been the case when Wenger’s side won at the Etihad in January. The problems were also familiar – Touré failing to cover ground and press the opposition and Eliaquim Mangala being, well, Eliaquim Mangala. It’s been said plenty of times before, but Vincent Kompany’s return to � tness cannot come quick enough for this team. They could also do with Sergio Agüero getting up to speed as quickly as possible. The Argentinian played for 63 minutes on his return from a heel injury and looked suitably rusty. City looked absurdly blunt for a club of their resources and were on course to make it four successive away league matches without a goal for the � rst time since February 2006 before Touré’s sublime side-footed � nish. That and everything else that went badly for City here re� ects poorly on Manuel Pellegrini at a time when his long-term job prospects are being questioned openly. l

TALKING POINTS

Sport 29D

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

DAY’S WATCHSony Six7:30PM Pro Wrestling League 2015Bengaluru Yodhas v Dilli Veer Star Sports 12:20PM KFC T20 Big Bash League Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers Star Sports 47:00PM Sa� Championship 2015Nepal v Sri Lanka

Brendon Barrie McCullum was born on Sept. 27, 1981 in Dunedin, Otago and hails from a cricketing family. His father, Stuart, played � rst-class cricket for Otago while his brother, Nathan, has represented New Zealand.

He made his New Zealand debut as a 20-year-old batsman in an one-day inter-national against Australia at Sydney.

His Test debut came two years later against South Africa in Hamilton and the 34-year-old has gone on to play 98 more Tests for New Zealand on the trot.

McCullum has scored 6,273 Test runs with 11 hundreds, including the only triple cen-tury by a New Zealand batsman, and 31 half-centuries at an average of 38.48. His highest Test score of 302 came against India last year.

He has also taken 194 catches, mostly wearing the gloves, and 11 stumpings. He has not kept wickets in Tests since 2010 and dismissed Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed caught and bowled last year for his only international wicket.

A hard-hitting batsman who is almost unstoppable when on song, McCullum has scored 5,909 runs in 254 one-day internationals with � ve tons and 31 � fties. He has a highest score of 166 in the 50-over format with 258 catches and 15 stumpings.

The right-handed batsman is probably the most destructive in the shortest format and is the only player with two interna-tional hundreds in Twenty20 cricket. He also has the second-highest score in Twenty20 cricket across the world, an un-beaten 158 in the Indian Premier League.

He has a strike-rate of over 136 in the 20-over game and has also scored 13 half-centuries.

McCullum was named captain of New Zealand in all formats at the start of 2013, taking over from Ross Taylor.

He led New Zealand unbeaten through seven Test series until the recent reverse in Australia, and to a � rst 50-overs World Cup � nal last year where they were again beaten by their trans-Tasman Sea rivals.

McCullum’s inspirational leadership was re� ective of his own aggressive approach at the crease and he was widely credited with New Zealand’s successful World Cup campaign, where they stormed to the � nal on the back of an attacking brand of cricket that won them fans around the world.

New Zealand have also remained unbeat-en in 13 Tests at home under McCullum.

He will retire after the two home Tests against Australia in February with the second match, which starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Feb. 20, being his last.

Baz announces international retirement n AP, Wellington

New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCul-lum announced yesterday he will retire from international cricket in February, ending one of the sport’s most colorful careers.

The 34-year-old McCullum will become the � rst cricketer to play 100 consecutive Test matches when he takes the � eld in New Zealand’s � rst Test against Australia in Wel-lington from Feb. 12. McCullum is expected to make the second Test of that series - start-ing in Christchurch on Feb. 20 - his last match for New Zealand.

It is likely that McCullum, one of the world’s hardest-hitting and most innovative

batsmen, will also play a limited role in New Zealand’s forthcoming one-day series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and will miss next year’s Twenty20 World Cup.

“I would have preferred to wait until after the test in Christchurch to make this news public,” McCullum told a news conference Tuesday. “However, the schedule for naming the ICC World T20 squads means I could not

have managed this without causing a lot of confusion and speculation - something I was keen to avoid.

“I’ve loved my opportunity to play for and

captain the Black Caps but all good things have to come to an end and I’m just grateful for the wonderful experience of playing for my country.”

McCullum, who is expected to be replaced

by 25-year-old batsman Kane Williamson, hopes to continue to make a full contribution until his � nal match.

“There’s a time and place for re� ection and that’s at the end of your career,” he said. “For now, I’ll be giving all my attention to helping the team focus on what’s coming up over the next few weeks and making sure we’re in the best possible shape for what’s going to be a very challenging summer.”

McCullum made his Test debut against South Africa in 2004 and hasn’t been absent from the New Zealand Test side since. He estab-lished himself � rst as a wicketkeeper and lower order batsmen but was forced to give up keep-ing late in his career because of a back injury. l

Brendon McCullum has been good for cricket and he has enriched it. In doing so he has raised the esteem his country's cricket is held in. –HARSHA BHOGLE

Congratulations Brendon McCullum, a great role model & game changer as a batsman & captain. #McCullumRetirement @BLACKCAPS –TOM MOODY

Ex-Swansea striker Michu joins fourth-tier siden AFP, Madrid

Once-capped Spain international Michu has joined Spanish fourth-division side Langreo in a bid to reignite his injury-plagued career, the Asturias-based club announced on Monday.

The 29-year-old was released by Swansea City last month after a long-standing ankle problem limited him to just 29 appearances over the past two seasons, which included spending last term on loan at Napoli.

“Langreo have reached an agreement to se-cure the services of forward Michu,” the club

said in a statement, adding that he could make his debut once the Spanish transfer window reopens on January 4. Michu was an instant hit after signing for Swansea from Rayo Vallecano in July 2012, top-scoring with 22 goals in his � rst season as Swansea won the League Cup.

He earned his � rst and only Spain cap in a World Cup quali� er against Belarus in Oc-tober 2013, but had not played for Swansea since April 2014. A change of scenery in Italy failed to help Michu rediscover his old form as he featured just � ve times for Napoli with-out scoring a single goal. l

Showtime30DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Best of 2015n Promiti Prova Chowdhury

The year 2015 came both as sweet and savoury in terms of musical album releases. While popular rock bands entertained us with their freshly composed tunes, prominent musical maestros made their strokes with experimental and improvisational tracks. Cornerstone of Bangladeshi band scene, Miles, revived after a pause while some speci� c romantic numbers achieved popularity with repeated exposure through FM radio channels. Showtime sheds the spotlight on 10 albums released throughout the year that occupied the listeners’ mind for quite a while.

Kokhon Kibhabe Ekhane Ke Jane:Popular rock band Indalo presented audience with its debut album Kokhon Kibhabe Ekhane Ke Jane in September. The album also got an online release under ME Label’s online distribution rights. The album features 13 original tracks: “Saké,” “Olik,” “Tomar Shokal,” “Deyalghori,” “Obosheshe,” “Plastic,” “Pounopunik,” “Pathorer Arale Phool,” “Antonogor,” “Canvas,” “ISD,” “Oshfut” and “Ke Shunbe.” The album was recorded and mixed at Acoustic Artz, and mastered from the UK by Tim Debney at Fluid Mastering Studio.

Proticchobi:After a hiatus of � ve years, popular rock band Miles got back with their album titled Proticchobi, � ve songs from which was launched in July in association with leading mobile phone operator Grameenphone. A total of eight songs were recorded for the album. Five of them were released online in 2011 while the three new entries are “Rockstar,” “E To Noy Gaan,” and,

“Ochena Jibon.” The old � ve numbers are “Priyotoma Megh,” “Chaina,” “Janiye dao,” “Esho Naa,” and “Oshanto Mon.” The songs are written by Sha� n Ahmed, Latiful Islam Shibli, Sha� q Tuhin, topu and Tarun Munshi while composed by Manam Ahmed, Sha� n Ahmed, Hamin Ahmed and Jewel.

Ja Bolo Tai Bolo:Sahana Bajpaie’s second album Ja Bolo Tai Bolo hit the market on September 10 in Dhaka. Ever since the release of her � rst album, some eight years ago, the talented Rabindrasangeet singer had kept her fans waiting all this while. Under the Major 7th music label, the album includes 12 tracks some of which are “Sokatore Oi,” “Maharaj Eki Saje,” “Aami Kaan Pete Roi,” “Tomay Gaan Shonabo,” and “Tomra Ja Bolo Tai Bolo.” Three of these songs were recorded live in London and were arranged by London-based musicians Idris Rahman, Zoe Rahman and Oliver Weeks. The artist dedicated the album to her three-year-old daughter, Rohini. Sahana revealed that the title of her latest album is extracted from her most favourite Tagore songs, and its lyrics re� ect on her life as a whole.

Hit Factory:Fans of pop, hip-hop, funky and electro music got a treat with Fuad’s Hit Factory released in March this year. The music director-producer and singer brought in a mix of fresh and experienced singers who performed solo. Upol Islam, Mouri, Nazia, Shuvo, Sumi from band Lalon, Artist TJ, Anila and Are� n Rumey are some of the singers featured in the album. Fuad sang

two songs in this album, one, “Aktai Amar Tumi” which became popular on FM radio stations, while “Shunduri Furi,” another highlight of the album, was dedicated to his wife. There are around 13 songs in the album which have a very eclectic theme. Under the label of Incursion music, the album is available both in compact disc and digital formats.

Khub Doob:In the album, versatile singer-musician Arnob focused on experimental songs, mostly with his vocals. An “improvisational piece” in Arnob’s words, the album includes a Tagore number, “Esho Shyamolo Sundaro.” Other tracks include “Chader Shidi,” “Khub Doob,” “Tokhon Jonak Dake,” “Policer Chhire Tupi,” and “Obhijan.” Apart from the singer himself, Tokon Thakur, Rajib Ashraf and Sahana Bajpaie, to name a few, have penned lyrics for the album. The album came out on the occasion of Pohela Boishakh this year.

Bendhechi Amar Pran:Musical sensation Bappa Mazumder released the � rst complete Rabindra sangeet album in his career on the occasion of Bangla New Year this year. Mazumder’s 11th solo Bendhechi Amar Pran included song titles “Amaro Parano Jaha Chay,” “Aami Chini Go Chini,” “Tumi Kon Kanoner Phool,” “Bhalobese Sokhi,” “Emano Dine Tare Bola Jay,” “Ami Tomar Songe Bendhechi Amar Pran,” “Purano Sei Diner Kotha” and “Mone Ki Dwidha.” The singer himself has composed music for all the songs. The album, presented by Brac Bank Limited and marketed by Girona Bangladesh, is available at outlets of Deshal and at rokomari.com

Ahare:Emerging musical star Minar brought in his third album Ahare on Pohela Boishakh this year. Popular label G-series released the album. The title track of the album “Ahare Ahare Kothay Pabo Tahare” became one of

the most played songs on FM radio stations and music channels for weeks. The album consists of eight songs, all composed by Minar. Six of the songs are written by the singer himself while the rest are written by Anik Khan and Shafayet Mansur Rana.

Neel Jhinuker Kham:Fahmida Nabi and Rupankar Bagchi, the popular artists from Bangladesh and India respectively, gave voice in the duet music album which contains eight romantic songs. Laser Vision brought the album to market on the Valentines’ Day. Tuned by Ruparkar and composed by Indrajit Dey, Zul� qar Russel has written all the lyrics for the album.

Cholo Ontoheen:Cholo Ontoheen, written and planned by Asif Iqbal, came as a treat to music lovers this year. Adit featured renowned singers such as Samina Chowdhury, Elita Karim, Shoeb, and Mahadi in 12 songs. The tracks of the album include “Chole Jeo Naa,” (sung by Elita and Adit in two di� erent versions) “Ghum Hoiye Aaj” by Elita and Shoeb, “Esho Aaj Tumi” by Samina Chowdhury, “Fire Esho” by Adit, “Projapoti” by Mahadi, “Chokh Mele Dekho” by Adit, “Chole Jeona” by Elita and Mahadi and “Kotodin Dekhini Tomay” by Elita. The album came under the label Gaanchill Music.

Dreek:Hard rock band Dreek enthralled music lovers with the release of their � rst album in April this year. Hamin Ahmed, the president of BAMBA and the guitarist of Miles unveiled the album that comprises a total of nine tracks. Three of these, “Tarunner Michile,” “Notun Alo” and “Golok Dhadhaye,” were released on Radio Foorti last year. The songs of the album can be downloaded free of cost from www.dreek.co while themallbd.com is the title sponsor of the album. l

Showtime 31D

TWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

The Da Vinci CodeSony PIX 9:30 pmAmerican symbology professor Robert Langdon (Hanks) is summoned by the French police to investigate the grisly murder of the Louvre museum curator. Unfortunately, Langdon is the prime suspect and the invite is a mere ruse to capture him. His rescuer comes in the form of Sophie Neveu (Tautou), the beautiful cryptologist grand-daughter of the dead curator, who helps him escape the cops. Now the two must search for an ancient relic and stop a serial killer who will not stop until he gets what he desires.Cast: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Sir Ian McKellen

Snow White and the HuntsmanStar Movies 12:00 pmSnow White, imprisoned daughter of the late king, escapes just as the Magic Mirror declares her the source of the Evil Queen’s immortality. The Queen sends her men, led by a local huntsman, to bring her back. But

upon her capture, the huntsman � nds he’s being played and turns against the Queen’s men, saving Snow White in the process. Meanwhile, Snow’s childhood friend, William, learns that she is alive and sets o� to save her.Cast: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron

Wrath of the TitansWB 7:29 pmPerseus and his son Helius live as � shermen in a small village. One night, Zeus visits Perseus

and tells that the gods are weaker since the humans do not pray to them anymore. He tells that the walls of Tartarus are falling down in the underworld and all the demons will be released on Earth and Kronos will escape from his imprisonment. Zeus goes to the underworld with Poseidon to join forces with Aries and Hades but they are betrayed and Zeus is captured. Poseidon escapes deadly wounded and encounters Perseus in the Zeus’ Temple. He gives his trident to Perseus and advises him to meet his son and also demigod Agenor in the kingdom of Andromeda and ask him to guide Perseus to � nd the fallen one. Together with Andromeda, they begin their saga to release Zeus and avoid that Ares and Hades unleash the ancient Titan Kronos.Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Rosamund Pike

The HitcherStar Movies Action 9:30 pmJim Halsey (Zachary Knighton) and Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) is a young couple. During a rainstorm in the midst of a long-distance road trip, they take pity on a hitchhiker John Ryder (Sean Bean), and give

him a lift. Soon, they regret their kindness, when Ryder himself reveals that he is a violent madman and wants to see them dead. Anyhow Jim and Grace succeed in throwing Ryder o� their car. But it seems that their troubles have just begun, when they learn that Ryder has already killed a handful of people and is planting evidence that proves Jim and Grace as the murderers. Now, they are on the run from law, until they � nd Ryder to prove their innocence.Cast: Sean Bean, Sophia Bush, Zachary Knighton

G.I. Joe: The Rise of CobraZee Studio 9:30 pmThe members of the Cobra gang attack Captain Duke Hauser (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans) as they transport special warheads. G.I. Joe is a top secret, international special unit whose leader is General Abernathy aka Hawk (Dennis Quaid). Hawk goes chasing the Cobra gang while Duke and Ripcord undergo training to join the Joes.Cast: Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Christopher Eccleston

WHAT TO WATCH

nShowtime Desk

One of the best directors in Hindi cinema, Karan Johar took to Twitter yesterday to announce the release date of his new film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil on October 2016, during Diwali.

He had tweeted an image of him and his star Ranbir Kapoor with the tweet, “And it’s a wrap on our London schedule!!!! #AeDilHaiMushkil all set to release on the 28th of October 2016!! DIWALI!” The film is

Johar’s first after a four year absence from the box office. In 2012, he directed Student Of The Year, ushering the new talents in Varun Dawan, Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra. This new project has him coming back with a bang. Hopefully.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil stars Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma, with supporting roles taken up by Fawad Khan and Imran Abbas. Details on the story and other information is set to be released early next year. l

Johar’s next in 2016 Movers and shakers of 2016nShowtime Desk

There are some really exciting things coming our way in 2016 and here are the biggest noise makers for the coming year.

Fantasy on MTVMTV is bringing out their own version of Game of Thrones. On January 5, the network will air The Shannara Chronicles that may lead to other networks taking the big gamble of running their own version of an epic fantasy.

Adele’s tourThe record breaking singer, Adele begins her 2016 tour in February 29 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The tour will then head to the United States in the coming summer, while her album conintues to outpace Taylor Swift’s own.

Titans of cableThe buzz is the FCC will review the

proposal of a huge merger in media between Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable. If all goes well on March 9, 2016, the deal approval will pave way for a $67 billion company, coming second to rival Comcast.

Battle of the superheroesMarch 25, 2016 will be a date to remember. For the � rst time ever, two of the most popular superheroes in history will do battle in the same � lm. Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice is a blockbuster fans have been waiting for in decades.

Girl powerWhile, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is slated to come out next December, the all-female cast of the new Ghostbusters reboot on July 15 could make or break the new trend of gender swapping roles. A similar move for the Ocean’s Eleven and Jump Street properties might have the same treatment.

Back Page32DT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

JOHAR’S NEXT IN 2016 PAGE 31

REALTORS STILL LOOK FOR THEIR GOOD DAYS PAGE 15

COACHES FUME, CHAOS REIGNS AHEAD OF SAFF PAGE 25

Home minister: Special security for churches on Christmasn Kamrul Hasan

Special security measures are in place ahead of Christmas celebrations, the home minister said yesterday, adding that diplomatic zones and the Dhaka University campus would also be brought under a tight security net during New Year’s Eve.

A special meeting centring security for Christmas and December 31, decided CCTV surveillance and deployment of plainclothes police would also be arranged for the days.

Talking to reporters after the meeting yes-terday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said security measures have been beefed up at churches and diplomatic zones so that everyone could celebrate Christmas without any untoward incident.

He added that drinking of alcoholic sub-stance in public would not be allowed.

The decisions came after Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA) General Secre-tary Nirmal Rozario, at the meeting, sought additional security for churches.

The meeting at the secretariat was at-tended by top law enforcers and a delegation from Dhaka University administration.

A source from the meeting said a decision was also reached that no outsiders would be allowed to enter the Dhaka University cam-pus after 8pm on December 31.

As an added precaution, law enforcers plan to carry out anti-narcotics drives in Dhaka on December 27, 28 and 29.

DMP sources said they would continue to conduct drives in Rampura, where six Ja-maat-Shibir men were recently arrested.

Although the government is putting ad-ditional safety measures in place, there is uncertainty and fear among members of the Christian community in the wake of recent strings of attacks and threats against their priests.

However, BCA Organising Secretary Wil-liam Proloy Samadder said they would not give in to fear and intimidation, and cele-brate the day as they do every year.

According to Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha, more than 30 pastors and oth-er clergymen have received death threatsso far.

There are around 3,000 churches across the country, including 60 in the capital, ac-cording to data from the BCA. l

BSF guns down Bangladeshi cattle tradern Our Correspondent, Thakurgaon

A Bangladeshi man was shot and killed by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) near the Bashalgaon border in Thakur-gaon’s Haripur upazila yesterday.

The victim was 32-year-old cattle trader Hemanto Kumar, son of Jitesh Chandra Bar-man, a resident of Kholra village of the upazi-la, according to the UNB news agency.

Quoting locals, BGB sources said Hemanto was killed when a BGB team shot at a group of Bangladeshi cattle traders as they were trying to smuggle cattle from India.

Con� rming the incident, Dinajpur 42 Bor-der Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Commander Lt Col Akhtar Ekbal said it was a patrol team from BSF’s Barogaon camp that gunned down cattle smuggler Hemanto.

The Indian forces opened � re at Heman-to before dawn, as he was trying to cut the barbed wire of the border to enter the coun-try, he added.

Hemanto died instantly from his gunshot wound, while the BSF members took his body to their camp.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune over phone, Commander Akhtar Ekbal said he was on his way to the Bashalgaon border for a � ag meet-ing on the issue with the BSF. The BGB o� -cial said he would also visit the site where the victim had been shot.

Lt Col Ekbal expressed hopes that the young man’s body would be returned on Wednesday after proper legal formalities are carried out. l

The crimson sunbird, Aethopyga siparaja, belongs to the the sunbird family that shares looks and traits with hummingbirds. Crimson sunbirds are mainly nectar-feeding species, but they also eat insects, especially the young birds. They have short wings and are very fast � iers. The photo was recently taken at Pakhir Khal in Tambulbunia in the Sundarbans SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

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 O� ce: 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