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BDR CARNAGE PROBE
A command performance?
Hafiz Shamsheer
The cat is out of the bag. By recourse to what a daily newspaper described as hour-by-hour running commentary on the inquiry into the 25 - 26 February BDR butchery, retired Lieutenant Colonel Faruk Khan has come up with a brash revelation that investigators have found evidence of some JMB connections in it. In so doing, he has clearly mucked up the investigation and thus has done more harm to the nation than good. Why was he in such a hurry to sell some names to the media? Why didn't he let the investigation finish? Mysterious though, but nobody knows. ..[ FULL STORY ]
Overhauling BNP brooks no delay
Amanullah Kabir
The small press conference surprisingly turned into a political drama with BNP Standing Committee member Chawdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiky's desperate son, as the main actor, hurling venomous remarks about the party chief Begum Khaleda Zia and other party leaders.
The scathing remarks of Chawdhury Irad Ahmed Siddiky, an unknown name in BNP rank and file, made the party hierarchy furious and the Standing Committee finally sacked Tanvir Siddiky who was conspicuous by his presence at the press conference. It took a new turn last week when Hannan Shah filed a case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court which issued a warrant of arrest against Tanvir Siddiky's son who was said to have sought nomination for Dhaka City Corporation mayoral office but was discouraged by the chairperson apparently unimpressed by his political background...[ FULL STORY ]
Threat of direct intervention
comes closer?
Special Correspondent
It is no more a threat perception. Now it seems to have become a real threat - India desires to go for direct intervention to strengthen "the Hasina government, which has a pro-India tilt".
The desire, as expressed by Indian foreign minister Pranab Mukharjee, has not provoked any response from Bangladesh foreign ministry. Could it be that the foreign office mandarins at Segunbagicha have conceded to the Indian intention?
The March 16 issue of Indian news magazine Outlook quoted Pranab Mukharjee disclosing at a close-door meeting of Congress leaders at New Delhi's Mavalankar Hall as saying: "I had to go out of my way to issue a stern warning to those trying to the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh that if they continue with their attempts, India would not sit idle"...[ FULL STORY ]
The politics of BDR rebellion
M. Shahidul Islam
The virtues of politics can turn into fossils of anguish amidst unwanted propagation. Barely the raw wounds of the bereaved families have begun to smoothen when the Government has embarked upon prejudicial blame-gaming in the BDR massacre of February 25 - 26, putting into serious doubt the ultimate outcome of the investigations and the expected judgment.
Unfortunately, that blaming occurs in the absence of supportive evidence. Even if there is evidence, no one knows for sure whether such evidence can withstand probative tests in the relevant courts of law.
Besides, testimony of captives in custody remains subjected to cross examinations at the relevant courts where facts will be sifted from fictions to ensure rationality and plausibility of causes and effects...[ FULL STORY ]
Five days that changed Pakistan
Beena Sarwar in Karachi
A late night meeting between Pakistan's army chief, President and Prime Minister led to the dramatic announcement in the wee hours of Monday morning that Iftikhar Mohammed Choudhry would be restored as Chief Justice.
The announcement, made by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani, has been widely welcomed for having broken the political impasse that was threatening to plunge the country into chaos and possible army intervention...[ FULL STORY ]
Dismal picture of Cox's Bazar seabeach
Faruque Ahmed
The sea beach at Cox's Bazar is becoming the destination of ever growing number of visitors round the year. But its poor facilities to sea goers at the beach heads and hotel-motel and dining facilities on the sea front are quite dismaying. So also the poor shopping outlets in the resort town are the indicators of the neglect of the government and especially the ministry of tourism and its specialised agency- the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) - in developing it as an attractive tourists' hub of the region, observers say.
Cox's Bazar sea beach is the longest beach in the world and now on top of a campaign for global recognition as one of the seven wonders in the list of numerous sea beaches in all the seven continents. Campaign managers say the 125km uninterrupted beach line occupies the number one place in opinion polls...[ FULL STORY ]
Why was it hard to douse fire at Basundhara City Mall?
Barrister Harun ur Rashid
An obvious pain and distress gripped the businesses and people around Basundhara City Mall watching helplessly a devastating fire on the 17th floor, at 1-40 pm in the afternoon last Friday.
The blaze reportedly burnt many offices into ashes inside the country's biggest and iconic shopping centre. It is reported that six top floors were gutted, 7 killed and 20 injured. The fire is suspected to originate from electric short-circuit on the day of weekly holiday...[ FULL STORY ]
GLIMPSES OF THE GREAT
Lord Horatio Nelson
K. Z. Islam
Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758 - 21 October 1805) was a British flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He won several notable victories, with the culmination being the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, during which he was killed.
Horatio Nelson the epitome of the hero, in its English version. His maternal uncle, Captain Suckling, took him on board the Raisonnable at the age of 12, saw him made midshipman secured a variety of useful jobs for him and, as the Controller of Royal Navy had him made a sub-lieutenant at the age of 19. Nelson saw action on a variety of ships in a wide range of situations, all over the world, and aged 24 in 1782 was introduced by Lord Hood, his fleet commander, to Prince William, afterwards William-IV, with the words: "If you wish to ask question relative to naval tactics Nelson can give you as much information as any officer in the fleet...[ FULL STORY ]
LIBERATION WAR MUSEUM
Keeping national spirit vibrant
Abdur Rahman Khan
The Liberation War Museum, an organisation dedicated to national spirit of the Liberation War, is celebrating its 13th founding anniversary this week. The programme coinciding with the celebration of the 38th Independence Day of the country will begin on March 22 and conclude on March 28.
The Liberation War Museum was established in 1996 as a citizens' initiative to preserve the history of sacrifice and the glorious struggles of the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh. The objective of the museum is to educate the new generation with the history of independence so that they can feel proud of their motherland and get imbued with the spirit of patriotism...[ FULL STORY ]
Foreign Minister's faux pas may affect relation with Malaysia
Fazle Rashid in New York
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's formation of the cabinet was hailed as a pack of surprises. Her move to install women in important cabinet positions was acclaimed as it was a bold move. But their performances so far have been depressing.
One example is Foreign Minister Dipu Moni who was thought to be a knowledgeable person. True, she is a physician and has a degree from Johns Hopkins, but her performance so far has been lamentably poor...[ FULL STORY ]
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