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PORTENTS OF DEEP TROUBLE
Blame game, unresolved mystery
of BDR massacre
Sadeq Khan
An article in the tabloid weekly Blitz dated February 16 reminded us in its online edition: "On 25th February 2010, Bangladesh will observe the first year of the massacre inside the headquarters of Bangladesh Rifles [border security personnel]. More than 56 army officers were brutally murdered, many of the family members of those officers humiliated and raped. Awami League-led grand alliance government has decided to observe this day as 'Pilkhana Killing Day'. But there is no sign of progress in the investigation into this heinous crime...[ FULL STORY ]
GOVT. NEEDS HISTORY LESSONS
Unruly chaos feared if
repression continues
M. Shahidul Islam
To haste and to fast-track coercive policy is to invite unintended consequences and dangers.
At a time when a discernible pattern of the government's political blueprint has begun to get exposed from a number of recent hasty moves, observers feel deeply shocked and alarmed. It also brings to surface the virtues of regime change, the cure proving worse than the ailment.
Historically, regime change by hook or crook can either bring good or prove disastrous; the good stemming from sincere desire to seek national reconciliation, which seems so amiss within the incumbent AL-led regime...[ FULL STORY ]
AL govt. removed Zia's name
from BDR's history
Shahriar Noori
The Government is apparently worried about the information regarding the resurfacing of a book on 1971 Liberation War which mentioned President Ziaur Rahman as the declarer of the Independence, government insiders said.
The book, based on original manuscript, prepared during the first Awami League (AL) regime under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1972 - 75), emphatically stated that in the declaration, "Ziaur Rahman claimed himself the President of Bangladesh and made the historic call for the War of Independence on March 27...[ FULL STORY ]
MAOISTS KILL 24 JAWANS IN W BENGAL
Delhi may deploy SFF in Operation Greenhunt
Shamsuddin Ahmed
The February 14 massacre of an Indian paramilitary camp by outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) in West Midnapur district of West Bengal has stunned New Delhi and proved vulnerability of anti-Maoist Operation Greenhunt. At least 24 jawans of the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) were killed in a broad daylight raid by around two dozen rebels, mostly women.
Survivors said some of the 51 jawans (soldiers) and officers of the camp were missing. Maoist claimed 35 jawans were killed and no casualty on their side. The incident has, no doubt, has sent a wave of chill to scores of makeshift camps of paramilitary troops readying for offensive against the Maoist. Reports are already there that the ill equipped police in the states are reluctant to fight the dreaded Maoist guerrillas...[ FULL STORY ]
E.J.W.G. DEMANDS F.M.'S CLEAR STATEMENT
BDF meet described as
sellout, empty basket
Faisal Rahim
The Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) meeting in Dhaka last week with the participation of donors' representatives was a big success according to certain sources close to the event. But some civil society organisations termed the outcome as an 'empty basket'.
In fact the outcome of the two-day event remained much foggy in absence of a joint communiqué which is usually issued after such meeting highlighting core discussion issues and achievements made on evolving development strategies, new policy framework, issues dominating reforming public institutions, quality of governance and pace of implementation of development projects ands such other issues...[ FULL STORY ]
Opposition being dragged into movement
Special Correspondent
The country-wide crackdown against Jamaat and Shibir workers has compelled the Jamaat forces to take to the street while BNP was instigated to go for action programme with the government launching an all-out drive to erase the name of late president Ziaur Rahman, a sector commander of the war of liberation.
The government initiated the political challenge at a time when the opposition decided to join the parliament to make the democratic institution effective as desired by the people and the donor community...[ FULL STORY ]
Whither politics
A bystander
Some of the topics our politicians are debating over and some of the decisions they are taking of late, both inside and outside of the parliament, are tarnishing our image and belittling our sense of judgment on electing our law makers.
Our nation is becoming a laughing stock to the eyes of the world people when they see our government is busy with renaming institutions that bear a name of an opposition leader and with whether there is a body inside the grave of a national leader...[ FULL STORY ]
Muhith assures Assam traders of
Dhaka- Silchar direct rail link
Holiday Report
Bangladesh Finance Minister AM Abdul Muhit has assured the businessmen from Assam of restoring the Karimganj-Mahisashan-Sahajpur railway line soon for improving border trade between Assam and Bangladesh.
The assurance was given when a group of representatives from the Karimganj Exporters-Importers Union met the Bangladesh finance minister at Sylhet recently, Assam's major English-language daily the Assam Tribune reported...[ FULL STORY ]
FIs bear brunt of govt's policy discrimination
Shamsul Huda
Decade-old laws stand in the way of financial institutions' expansion of business activities in Bangladesh, though there is a huge demand for money in the growing market, said LankaBangla Finance Limited Managing Director Mafizuddin Sarker while talking to the Holiday recently.
The related laws were made, when the banks were dominant in the market, he said, adding, "The scenario has now changed, but the age-old laws regarding financial institutions still exist."
Every year new financial products are hitting the market under direct supervision of the central bank of Bangladesh against the backdrop of the growing economy requiring huge investments, he mentioned...[ FULL STORY ]
TODAY'S POLITICIANS AWFULLY INTOLERANT
Language Movement succeeded
as people were united
Abdur Rahman Khan
The present-day politicians appear to be extremely intolerant of their opponents which is harmful to the nation. The very movement for the Bangla language could not have been organised if similar situation persisted at that time, said the language movement veteran Dr Sharfuddin Ahmed.
An active organiser of the movement, Sharfuddin Ahmed was the elected General Secretary of Dhaka Medical College Students Union for the term 1951-52 when the movement reached its zenith.
Talking to the Holiday, Dr Ahmed expressed his ignorance about the involvement of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the Language Movement of 1952 as claimed today by many of the sycophants. "He was not seen during the great Language Movement of 1952.At that time he was in jail and I am not sure about his role", said Dr Ahmed...[ FULL STORY ]
Anwar Sadiq
passes away
Holiday Desk
Former Holiday managing editor M Anwar Sadiq died of kidney failure in Renaissance Hospital in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. He was 74.
Anwar had for long suffered from diabetes and cancer. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter...[ FULL STORY ]
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