SECOND EDITION

DHA K A W EDNES DAY MA RCH 1 3 , 2024

Regd. No. DA 781 Vol. XXXIV No. 59 Falgun 29, 1430 BS Ramadan 2, 1445 Hijri 16 Pages : Tk 15.00

23 Bangladeshis Schools to
stay open
held hostage by in Ramadan
Apex court upholds

‘Somali’ pirates government decision

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Their ship hijacked in the Indian The

yesterday
Supreme
upheld
Court
the
Ocean; crew safe, authorities trying government’s decision
to keep the primary and
to contact them, say reports secondary schools open
for the first 10 and 15
MD NAZRUL ISLAM and FM MIZANUR RAHAMAN, Ctg days respectively during
Ramadan.
Suspected Somali pirates yesterday hijacked a Bangladesh-flagged On the first day of the
cargo ship with 23 crew members in the Indian ocean, according to the fasting month yesterday,
company that owns the vessel. schools in Dhaka city
The crew members of witnessed a significant drop
MV Abdullah have been in attendance in classes as
held hostage, said Captain there was confusion among
Mehrul Karim, chief the students, parents and
executive officer of SR teachers over the decision.
Shipping Limited, a concern Visiting several
of KSRM Group. schools, this newspaper
The ship was sailing from found lower-than-usual
Maputo in Mozambique attendance in classes.
to Al Hamriyah in the UAE During the month of Ramadan, the capital’s Chawkbazar might as well be dubbed “the iftar street”. Throughout the month, Al Amin, a student of
with 58,000 tonnes of coal, the sprawling market in the heart of old Dhaka sell a variety of iftar goodies, starting from peyajus and begunis to chicken Rajdhani High School,
he told The Daily Star. SOMALIA
KENYA parathas and lamb roasts. Customers from all parts of the city come to this spot almost every day to get their hands on their said, “I have come to
“The pirate attack took
place around 500 nautical
favourite items. The photo was taken yesterday. PHOTO: ANISUR RAHMAN SEE PAGE 2 COL 4

miles off the Somali coast,” ABDULLAH

he said.
Mizanul Islam, media
consultant of KSRM MALAWI BB outlines tough measures REVISED ADP
Group, said, “The captain
Education, health
of the ship, Abdur Rashid,
informed the authorities
that the pirates were in
MOZAMBIQUE
MADAGASCAR
for wilful defaulters see huge cuts
control of an Iranian fishing Borrowers to be barred from foreign travel, trade licence
boat near the MV Abdullah. STAFF CORRESPONDENT
As they ran out of fuel and STAFF CORRESPONDENT The stern measures, which come as part of BB’s
food, they attacked our ship roadmap to bring down defaulted loans to less The government has made major cuts in the education
and were taking fuel. The crew members are safe.” The Bangladesh Bank yesterday introduced strict than 8 percent by June 2026, were articulated in and health sectors in the annual development
Captain Mehrul said, “When Rashid first informed us about the measures for wilful defaulters as the authorities a detailed guideline, which outlined the criteria programme (ADP) budget for this fiscal year.
attack, we told him to resist the pirates at any cost. But 15 minutes later, look to restore people’s confidence in the banking for identifying wilful defaulters. The National Economic Council yesterday revised
the captain sent an email saying that the pirates managed to board the sector in the face of escalating defaulted loans. Banks will be fined from Tk 50 lakh to Tk 1 crore the ADP and slashed this fiscal year’s development
ship and took over its control. We assume Somali pirates hijacked our At the end of 2023, defaulted loans accounted if they violate the central bank guideline on wilful budget by 6.84 percent from the original outlay. The
ship. We are trying to talk to the crew members.” for 9 percent of all outstanding loans at Tk defaulters. If the violations continue, the central decision came at an NEC meeting at its conference
Captain Anam Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Merchant 145,633 crore, up 20.7 percent year-on-year. This bank will impose a fine of Tk 1 lakh per day. room in Dhaka’s Agargaon, with Prime Minister
Marine Officers’ Association, said, “One of our men informed us in a is more than four times the cost of Dhaka metro A separate unit called ‘wilful defaulters Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
SEE PAGE 2 COL 1 rail or Padma bridge. SEE PAGE 2 COL 4 SEE PAGE 2 COL 1
 City

NEWS
DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024

2 FALGUN 29, 1430 BS

Washington ‘Burimari Express’

values ties launched on Dhaka-
MY DHAKA Lalmonirhat rail route
with Dhaka, STAR REPORT

New Delhi Bangladesh Railway yesterday launched a new

intercity train -- the “Burimari Express” -- on the
Says US state dept Dhaka-Lalmonirhat route in an effort to provide
spokesperson, reiterates an affordable option for passengers to commute
between the two destinations.
concern about Prof Yunus With this addition, BR now operates two
intercity trains on the route.
UNB, Dhaka
The train began its maiden journey to Dhaka
after being flagged off from the Burimari Railway
The United States has said it values
Station in Lalmonirhat’s Patgram upazila around
its relationship with both Bangladesh
2:30pm following an inauguration ceremony.
and India and will continue to work There are 17 coaches on the Burimari Express;
together on the shared interests. 14 for passenger seating, and the remaining three
“We value our relationship with for a power car, a luggage van, and a dining car,
both Bangladesh and India. We reports our local correspondent.
will continue to work with the Despite its inaugural launch from Burimari,
governments of the two countries the train will strictly operate on the Dhaka-
to pursue our shared interests, Lalmonirhat route.
including [those] to ensure a free, The train will stop at 11 stations on its way
open, secure, and prosperous Indo- PHOTOS: PROTIBHA FLAVOURS to Dhaka and 12 stations on the way back to
Pacific region,” said Matthew Miller, Lalmonirhat, reports UNB.
spokesperson for US Department of
State.
He made the remarks at a press
PRESERVING FAMILY RECIPES Local and commuter trains would then be
operated to take passengers to Burimari upon
reaching Lalmonirhat, according to BR sources.
briefing in Washington on Monday.
Queried about the “India Out”
campaign in the region, he said,
“... We are aware of the reports of
Share your legacy with The distance between Burimari and
Lalmonirhat stations is 81 kilometres.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at a rally in
Lalmonirhat’s Patgram in 2011, promised to bring

this campaign. I’m obviously not
going to comment on any individual
consumers’ decisions, whether it’s in
Bangladesh or anywhere around the
world.”
Responding to a question on
Prof Muhammad Yunus, Miller said,
“You have heard me speak before
about the US government’s concerns
surrounding the cases against
Muhammad Yunus, including that
they could represent a potential
misuse of Bangladesh’s laws to harass
and intimidate him.”
The spokesperson said
Ambassador Peter Haas simply
reiterated those comments, acting in
his capacity as the US government’s
highest-ranking representative in
Bangladesh.
Talking to reporters recently
after a US delegation’s Bangladesh
visit, Foreign Minister Hasan
Mahmud said there is willingness
from both sides -- US and
Bangladesh -- to work together and
they want to create a new chapter
in their relations.
“We also want to begin a new
chapter of relations with them,” he
said, adding that the people will
benefit through strengthening the
relations.
Eileen Laubacher, special assistant
to the US president and senior
director for South Asia, US National
Security Council; Michael Schiffer,
USAID assistant administrator,
Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter,
US Department of State deputy
assistant secretary for South and
Central Asia, had a three-day visit to
Bangladesh recently.
Protibha Flavours
RBR
Every family has a special recipe -- a
cherished dish that only the mother,
a specific aunt, or sister can cook
to perfection. The steaming Eid
day polao garnished with almonds,
pistachios, raisins, and plums may
well be the grandma’s speciality, as is
the Baishakhi special of the mother.
These family secrets, often handed
down through generations,
impart a taste that lingers in
your collective memory.
My father’s
grandmother, whom
I had the privilege to
befriend, shared so
many recipe secrets with
me, just by narrating
stories about them. Bata
macher korma was an
unusual dish she made for me
and the memory of the meal still
makes me happy.
However, no one ever thinks of
jotting down the details of these
unforgettable dishes. Thus, often, the
magical cooking methods are lost
forever or at least the dishes never
taste the same when we attempt to
prepare them.
In an effort to keep these family
secrets alive, and give the senior
members of our family a chance to
become entrepreneurs themselves,
Protibha Flavours started a mission
in 2023 to record these
recipes, learn them,
and possibly provide
a chance for the home
cooks to earn some money.
From retired officials, both
men and women, to anyone with a
strong passion for food and wanting
to utilise their leisure time, Protibha
Flavours offers a platform to share
their skills and enthusiasm.
“Protibha Flavours is more than
just a culinary endeavour; it’s a social
movement,” said Md Adnan Hossain,
founder and executive director of It’s
Humanity Foundation, the parent
organisation of Protibha Flavours.
“Originally conceived to empower
marginalised communities through
employment, our mission now
extends to everyone who possesses the
skills and art of cooking with a focus
on authentic Bangladeshi flavours
using locally sourced ingredients.”
Protibha is giving our
grandmothers, fathers and mothers a
platform and thus encouraging them
to bring their dishes to the general
people through niche commercial
catering services.
“But our impact reaches further,”
said Hossain.
“We strive to empower women in
the future by creating opportunities
for 100 individuals from marginalised
communities within the next three
years. Even now, Protibha Flavours
carries mustard oil, coconut oil, black
seed oil, ghee, and chat masala — all
sourced from women in Saidpur.”
He pointed out that their best seller
is the balushai (a kind of sweetmeat)
prepared meticulously by a retired
couple, who were both employed by
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.
Protibha Flavours invites you to join
their movement by connecting with
them on their social media handles.
Sharing your culinary specialities and
your favourite dishes with others will
ensure that the authenticity of your
dish can be replicated and become
a part of their menu. Senior citizens
of Dhaka can now make good use
of their spare time by catering to
the gastronomic demands of Dhaka
dwellers.
Burimari under the rail network. BR sources say
the launch of the Burimari Express is a follow-up
to that promise.
Man arrested for raping
two girls in N’ganj
OUR CORRESPONDENT, Narayanganj
A man was arrested from Sylhet for raping two
girls aged 8 and 10 in Narayanganj Sadar upazila,
Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) said yesterday.
The arrestee, Shipon Ahmmed, 34, of Syedpur
area under Gognagar union parishad of Narayanganj,
is an accused in a case filed over the rape, said Al
Mamun Shikder, Superintendent of Police of PBI,
Narayanganaj, in a press briefing at his office.
He was arrested in a village in Sylhet’s Kadamtali
area on Sunday, the same day the case was filed
against him. He was remanded to PBI custody for
one day.
On February 8, Shipon called the girls, who were
his neighbours, in his Syedpur home and raped
them. When the girls told their parents about the
incident afterwards, some influential locals tried
to cover it up.
In the meantime, the accused managed to flee,
SP Shikder said, according to the case documents
and initial investigation.
“On March 10, the father of one of the victims
filed a case with Narayanganj Sadar Model Police
Station under the Women and Children Repression
Prevention Act.
“PBI took over the investigation of the case on
its initiative and arrested the accused from Sylhet
within 24 hours. The two girls also gave their
statements before the magistrate on the same day
[Monday].”
The PBI official also said the accused has links
with local influential people and threatened to kill
the girls if the victims’ families filed any case about
the incident.

Education, health see huge cuts
FROM PAGE 1
The ADP for fiscal year 2023-24 has
been reduced by Tk 18,000 crore to
Tk 245,000 crore, according to the
documents presented at the meeting,
which was the first for the current
government.
Documents also show that the
development budget for education
and health, two vital sectors, have
been trimmed by 42 percent and
25.53 percent respectively.
The education sector’s allocation
has been cut to Tk 17,229 crore
from Tk 29,889 crore while the
health sector’s allocation has been
decreased to Tk 12,066 crore from Tk
16,204 crore.
After the revision, education and
health sectors are getting 7 percent
and 4.83 percent allocations of the
total development budget.
Talking about the trimming of
the allocations to the education and
health sectors, Planning Minister
Abdus Salam said: “There are
questions regarding the abilities
of some ministries who cannot
fully spend the budgets allocated
for them. We did not leave out the
23 Bangladeshis held hostage
FROM PAGE 1
WhatsApp message that the crew
members were locked inside cabins,
and the pirates were carrying heavy
firearms and ammunition. He sought
our help. We are trying to talk to the
government high-ups.”
BNN Bloomberg reports that
its ship-tracking data shows the
Abdullah slowed to a standstill in the
Indian Ocean before turning around.
It was heading in the direction of the
Somali coast last night.
The crew members include
Captain Mohammad Abdur Rashid,
Chief Officer Mohammed Atikullah
Khan, Second Officer Mazharul Islam
Chowdhury, Third Officer Tarequl
Islam, Deck Cadet Sabbir Hossain,
Chief Engineer ASM Saiduzzaman,
Second Engineer Toufiqul Islam,
Third Engineer Rokan Uddin, Fourth
education sector [from priorities].
Rather, we have told them to increase
their capacity to spend the budgets
allocated for them.”
The minister said they have taken
steps so that the money that was
reduced from the sector’s budget will
be used in other sectors.
Salam said the government have
increased the allocations for the
transport and communication and
energy sectors as they have the ability
to spend the allocated money.
The transport and communication
sector got the highest allocation of
Tk 63,263 crore (25.82 percent), the
power and energy sector Tk 37,897
crore (15.47 percent) and housing and
community facilities Tk 28,002 crore
(11.43 percent).
The planning minister also said
the government has enough money
and the health, education, energy
and communication sectors are vital
for the country.
A sector will get allocations
keeping in mind how much money it
can spend, Salam said.
Planning Division Senior Secretary
Satyajit Karmakar said that there
Engineer Tanveer Ahmad, Engine
Cadet Ayub Khan, Electrician Ibrahim
Khalil Ullah, ordinary seamen Joy
Mahmud, Najmul Haque, Ainul
Haque, General Seaman Noor Uddin,
oilers Mohammed Shamsuddin
and Ali Hossain, Fireman Mosharaf
Hossain Sakil, Chief Cook Shafiqul
Islam, Fitter Saleh Ahmed. The three
others are Anwarul Haque, Asifur
Rahman, and Sazzad Hossain.
KSRM Group has a total of 23 sea-
going vessels. MV Abdullah, formerly
Golden Hawk, was added to its fleet
last year.
In December 2010, the company’s
MV Jahan Moni was hijacked by
pirates in the Arabian Sea. Twenty-
five crew members and the wife of the
chief officer were rescued nearly 100
days after they were taken hostage.
should be a balance between the
ADP allocation for education,
health, transport, energy and local
government sectors.
He said that there are some
inconsistencies in resource allocation
and those will be fixed in the ninth
Five Year Plan.
Satyajit said the prime minister
yesterday instructed that a committee
under the cabinet secretary work to
improve the capacity and skills of the
officials.
The Economic Relations Division
was asked to assess the guidelines of
the development partners to ease the
disbursement of foreign loans, he added.
The government has made lesser
allocations for the education and
health sectors than what is projected
in the eighth Five Year Plan that is
being implemented from fiscal years
2020-21 to 2024-25.
For instance, the health sector
got a 6.16 percent ADP allocation
this fiscal year against the projection
of 11.1 percent, while the education
sector received a 13.38 percent
allocation against the projection of
16.5 percent.
The BNN Bloomberg report adds
that there has been a resurgence of
piracy near Somalia. The increase
has coincided with a slew of attacks
on merchant shipping in the Gulf of
Aden and the Red Sea, sapping nearby
naval resources and heightening
dangers for seafarers in the region.
At the end of last year, the first ship
hijacking in the waters off Somalia
took place since 2017. Naval forces
operating in the area have published
warnings that two piracy groups have
been working in the Indian Ocean.
According to an United Nations
report released on November 1, 2013,
pirates off the coast of Somalia and
the Horn of Africa made between
$339 million and $413 million in
ransom profits, fuelling a wide range
of criminal activities on a global scale.
Chemical cat sparks alert in Japan
AFP, TOKYO
Locals in a city in western Japan
have been told not to approach or
touch a missing cat that fell into a
vat of dangerous chemicals and then
scampered off into the night.
An employee at a metal plating
plant in Fukuyama arrived for work
on Monday morning to find feline
paw prints leading away from the
container, the firm said.
Schools to stay open in Ramadan
FROM PAGE 1
school because I heard that schools won’t
be shut during Ramadan. But many of
my friends are absent as they thought
that the school would remain closed.”
Md Mozammel Huq, head teacher
of the school, said less than 50 percent
students were present yesterday.
“This happened because there was
confusion among the students and
guardians about the closure of the
school.”
Anjuman Ara Laizu, head teacher
of BG Press High School, said it would
have been better for the teachers and
students if the schools were closed
during Ramadan.
BB outlines tough measures
FROM PAGE 1
identification unit’ will have to be
formed by banks by April 9 and the
bank management will have to carry
out all related activities through the
unit.
If a defaulter is identified as a wilful
defaulter as per the Bank Company
Act, the concerned borrower will
get 14 working days to present their
statement on the issue.
A wilful defaulter is one who
does not repay their loan, advance,
investment or any other financial
benefit taken by themselves or their
family members or institutions despite
their ability to furnish the sum.
Grainy security camera footage
released by the company shows the
furry fugitive fleeing from the factory,
apparently unharmed.
The vat, three metres (10 feet) deep,
contained hexavalent chromium,
which is carcinogenic and can cause
skin inflammation.
“We immediately alerted police,
the Fukuyama city and neighbours
near our factory,” a representative
from the company told AFP, without
“But as the authorities have decided
to keep the schools open, we have to
follow the decision,” she said.
Jamal Uddin, head teacher of
Tejgaon Model High School, said they
kept the school closed yesterday in
line with the High Court order.
“We informed our students through
SMS about closure and reopening of
the school.”
It would be helpful if the authorities
concerned inform the schools
about the closure well in advance of
Ramadan, he observed.
In separate notifications, the
education and primary and mass
education ministries yesterday said
The borrowers will continue to be
marked as wilful defaulters until the
loans are recovered fully.
The list of wilful defaulters would
be sent to the Bangladesh Securities
and Exchange Commission and the
Registrar of Joint Stock Companies
and Firms to impose a ban on foreign
travel and trade licence in line with
the Bank Company Act.
It will also be sent to the
registration authorities of vehicles,
land, houses, flats and so on. Those
authorities will take appropriate
action under their existing laws and
rules, it said.
The wilful defaulters will not be
wishing to be named.
“The incident woke us up to the
need to take measures to prevent
small animals like cats from sneaking
in, which is something we had never
anticipated before,” he said.
City authorities told locals to avoid
touching the animal and to inform
police immediately if they come
across it.
No sightings had been reported as
of Tuesday afternoon.
the secondary schools will remain
open until March 25 while the
primary schools will continue classes
until March 21.
Earlier in the day, the Appellate
Division of the Supreme Court halted
the HC order that on Sunday stayed
the government decision of keeping
the schools open.
A five-member bench of the
Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice
Obaidul Hassan, passed the stay order
after hearing a petition filed by the
state challenging the HC order.
The apex court also asked the state
to file a leave to appeal petition with it
against the HC order.
able to become bank directors for five
years after they come out from the
default list and they will not be able
to get any national award.
Any interest waiver facility and
loan rescheduling facility will not be
eligible for the wilful defaulters, as
per the BB guideline.
Banks and non-bank financial
institutions will not be able to take
over the defaulted loans of wilful
defaulters.
While the guideline on wilful
defaulters is presented nicely, there
is still scope to become non-wilful
defaulter from wilful defaulter,
according to industry insiders.
 2nd Edition

DHAKA 3
DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024
FALGUN 29, 1430 BS

ALL THINGS RAMADAN Four killed as

Beef at Tk truck overturns
595 per kg on Dhaka-Ctg
Shahjahanpur trader
slashes price again
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
highway
OUR CORRESPONDENT, Cumilla
Meat trader Khalil Ahmed
yesterday announced to sell Four people were killed and three others injured
beef at the cheaper price as a truck overturned after hitting another parked
of Tk 595 per kilogramme on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Chandina
during the month of upazila of Cumilla yesterday morning.
Ramadan. The deceased were identified as Monir Hossain,
This is the second 28, Habibur Rahman, 32, Akter Hossain, 35, and
instance in recent times Rafiqul Islam, 23, said Monjurul Alam, in-charge
that Khalil has sold the of Eliotganj Highway Police Outpost.
luxury item at lower than A Dhaka-bound fish-laden truck from Noakhali
the market price, which is overturned in Belaswar area after hitting a parked
now around Tk 750-800 truck around 5:30am, he said.
per kg. Four people, who were travelling on the truck,
“I had a plan to sell at Tk died on the spot, Monjurul said, adding that three
500 but it is not possible injured were rushed to Chandina Upazila Health
due to cattle price hike… Complex. They were later transferred to Dhaka.
I will sell at Tk 595 per kg Police seized the truck and recovered the
till 25th Ramadan,” Khalil bodies from the spot, said the police officer.
said at his shop Khalil
Gosto Bitan in the capital’s
Shahjahanpur area.
A buyer will be able to
buy a maximum of 5 kg
of meat at the discounted
price.
AHM Shafiquzzaman,
director general of
Directorate of National People buy iftar items at the capital’s Bailey Road, where numerous shops
Consumers’ Right were selling an array of traditional and non-traditional items yesterday, the
Protection, visited Khalil’s first day of Ramadan. Although not as old as the one in Chawkbazar, the
shop and inaugurated the iftar market on Bailey Road is no less popular, offering a wide range of food
SEE PAGE 4 COL 4 items. PHOTO: AMRAN HOSSAIN PHOTO: COLLECTED

Protests continue
A century-old Daily essentials still at JU demanding
tradition
Hundreds head to Chawkbazar
iftar market on first day
out of reach
SHAHEEN MOLLAH and MD ABBAS would be supplied within the next for high-quality fish has increased,
safe campus
JU CORRESPONDENT

HELEMUL ALAM
Towara, a resident of Narayanganj, came to Chawkbazar
yesterday on the first day of Ramadan to try out its well-
renowned iftar for the first time in her life.
Accompanied by her brother Biplob Khan, the two
were inspired to come here by all the coverage regarding
Chawkbazar’s much talked about iftar items on traditional
and social media.
“We have purchased boro baper polay khay and will
take some other items from here to have iftar with our
parents,” said Towara.
She said they heard about these traditional items over
the years but finally got the opportunity to come here this
Ramadan.
Several hundred years old, the Chawkbazar iftar
market -- the largest iftar market in the capital -- attracts
hundreds of people from all over the country.
Every Ramadan, people gather at the market to buy
varieties of items. Several hundred makeshift shops sell
items prepared from meat, vegetables, sweets, milk and
other ingredients.
Some iftar items can be traced back to the Mughal era.
SEE PAGE 4 COL 1
Idris Miah, a roadside makeshift
iftar seller, went to Karwan Bazar
Kitchen Market to buy kheshari dal
(grass peas), an essential ingredient
for piyaju, a popular item for iftar.
“I searched for kheshari dal
in at least 20 shops at Karwan
Bazar Kitchen Market, but found
it only in two shops where the
prices were unusually high, forcing
me to leave the market without
purchasing kheshari dal,” he told
this newspaper.
To verify his claim, these
correspondents visited at least 30
grocery shops at Karwan Bazar and
found that kheshari dal was only
available at two shops, where it was
being sold for Tk 140 to Tk 150 per
kg.
Wishing anonymity, a kheshari
dal wholesale trader told the
newspaper that the product was
scarce on the market and hoped it
few days.
Visiting Karwan Bazar,
Kochukhet, Ibrahimpur, and
Mirpur-14 kitchen markets, these
correspondents found that the
prices of broiler chicken, mutton,
fish, and some fruits -- including
watermelons, bananas, pineapples,
guavas, and strawberries -- have
increased by Tk 20-100.
Customers were seen buying
imported fruits despite the high
prices.
Broiler chicken is being sold
at Tk 220-230 per kg, up from Tk
200-210 last week. Mutton is now
priced at Tk 1,050-1,200, compared
to Tk 1,000-1,150 last week.
“Being the main source of meat
for low-income people, the demand
for broiler chicken is high. But the
supply is not adequate, leading to
the price increase,” traders claimed.
Sukkur Ali, a fish trader at
Karwan Bazar, claimed the demand
leading to higher prices.
“Prices of hilsa, rupchada, shol,
koral, and deshi koi have increased
by Tk 200-300 per kg, and we have
some fixed customers who buy
these regardless of the prices,” he
claimed.
Additionally, prices of dates,
sugar, lentils, ginger, garlic,
potatoes, chickpeas, and flour have
remained high for the past month.
Meanwhile, the commerce
ministry fixed the price of dates,
one of the key items for iftar, in a
notice on Monday, setting the price
of low-grade dates at Tk 150 to Tk
165 per kg.
However, when these
correspondents visited the capital’s
kitchen markets, they found that
there were no dates available for
below Tk 200, while several traders
told The Daily Star that they were
unable to procure dates at the
SEE PAGE 4 COL 7
A section of teachers and students padlocked
new administrative building of Jahangirnagar
University for the second consecutive day
yesterday to press home their five-point demands,
including maximum punishment for those
involved in raping a woman on the campus in
February.
Around 20 teachers and students under the
banner of “Nipiron Birodhi Moncho” padlocked
the building around 9:00am
Following the incident, the JU vice chancellor,
pro vice-chancellors and other administrative
officials could not enter the building.
Their five-point demands also include
removal of former students from halls, ensuring
accommodation of regular students, and
identifying and prosecuting those involved in
ragging culture; actions against the accused of
various crimes on the campus; and investigation
into the negligence of the university’s proctor and
provost of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall over the
rape incident; and legal actions against the drug
syndicates on campus.
Parvin Jolly, a professor of the history
SEE PAGE 4 COL 7

Conduct drives Woman dies

after being
at restaurants hit by bus in
as per law: HC Shahbagh
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
A woman was killed after
The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the being hit by a bus in
authorities concerned why harassment in the name of an Dhaka’s Shahbagh area
operation or raid would not be declared illegal. yesterday morning.
The HC also directed to conduct raids at restaurants as The identity of the
per the law. woman, aged around
The court also asked them to show causes why they 45, could not be known
should not be ordered not to demolish any structure of immediately.
restaurants. A bus of Savar Paribahan
The bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice hit the woman when she
Md Atabullah issued the rule following a writ petition was crossing the road near
Aziz Super Market around
filed by Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association
8:45am, leaving her
seeking necessary directives to this effect.
critically injured, said Md
Writ petitioner’s lawyer Ahsanul Karim told reporters
Selim, a sub-inspector of
that since the fire incident on the capital’s Bailey Road
Shahbagh Police Station.
on February 29, some agencies have been conducting Pedestrians took her to
drives even against the restaurants running legally, and the emergency department
the agencies have illegally and haphazardly been taking of Bangabandhu Sheikh
actions without issuing any show cause notice. Mujib Medical University
Therefore, owners and staff members of restaurants where doctors declared her
are getting panicked and their businesses are being dead, the SI said.
hampered, he said. Police seized the bus and
Advocate Ahsanul said there have been many fire detained its driver Esa Mia
incidents in the country’s residential buildings, but from the spot, the police
those don’t justify vacating or dismantling all residential officer said.
buildings, he said. The body was sent to
Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented Abdur Rahman selling balloons to children outside schools in Khulna’s Shibbari area yesterday afternoon. Purchasing each balloon for Dhaka Medical College
the state during the hearing. Tk 40, he retails them for Tk 50, selling 80-100 pieces everyday. PHOTO: HABIBUR RAHMAN morgue for autopsy.
 2nd Edition

NEWS
DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024

4 FALGUN 29, 1430 BS

Shawkat Jamil
Khan’s death
anniv today
‘Earning Tk 100 less just Protests continue
FROM PAGE 3
department who join the
protest, said, “We are here
students from the dorms
but no action has been
taken yet…. That’s why we

for being a woman’

STAR REPORT
Today is the
12th death
anniversary
of Shawkat
Jamil Khan,
a senior
photojournalist of The
Daily Star.
Jamil suffered a massive
stroke while he was on
duty and breathed his last
at Birdem Hospital on this
day in 2012 at the age of 56.
From 2005 until his death,
he worked for The Daily
Star. He is survived by his
wife and a son. His family
members requested all to
pray for the salvation of his
departed soul.
Man found
dead in the
Shitalakkhya
today due to the negligence
of the authority. We had
sought a fair investigation
against the proctor and the
provost of Mir Mosharraf
Female stone workers in Lalmonirhat demand equal pay Hossain Hall but the
authority failed to do this.”
She also said, “We
asked the authority for
S DILIP ROY
the removal of the former
In nearly 3,000 stone-crushing plants
surrounding Burimari and Sonahat land
ports, thousands of women labour alongside
men. They put in the same hours from
Drinking water crisis
9:00am to 5:00pm daily. However, a pay FROM PAGE 5
disparity persists, as female workers receive reduced the flow of
Tk 400 while their male counterparts’ earn freshwater from upstream,
Tk 500 daily. allowing saltier Bay of
Expressing their frustration, Kulsum Bengal water to enter the
Begum, 34, from Sahebdanga village, shared, Halda River through the
“We work hard just like men but aren’t Karnaphuli River. This
compensated equally.” saltwater intrusion makes
“It looks like we are paid Tk 100 less only it difficult to treat the river
because we are women,” she added. water for safe drinking use.
“This dry season, we’ve
Kohinur Begum, 45, from Burimari village,
echoed her. measured salinity levels
Khadija Begum, 40, from Sonahat
village, said, “Stone traders ignore
as high as 2200 mg in the
took position in front of
the new administrative
building and locked the
gate.”
On February 2, a woman,
who is resident of Ashulia,
was gang-raped on the
campus. A case was filed
against six people with
Ashulia Police Station.
Halda River,” explained
Mohammed Yousuf,
the executive engineer
in charge of the plant.
“Because of this, we’re
forced to stop production
every day during high tide.
However, I want to assure
residents that we are still
maintaining water quality
standards despite these
challenges,” Yousuf told
the newspaper.

OUR CORRESPONDENT,
N’ganj
Police yesterday found
an unidentified body in
the Shitalakkhya River in
Narayanganj’s Syedpur area.
Locals discovered the
body, approximate age
30-32, with several injury
marks, including a neck
cut, in the afternoon,
said Officer-in-Charge
Md Shahidul Islam of
Narayanganj Sadar River
Police Station.
our demand for equal pay. I’d
quit if I found a better job.”
Nasir Uddin, 48, a male
Daily essentials still
FROM PAGE 3 visiting the iftar-selling
worker, added, “Women work
government-set price. shops in several places
as hard as men but are paid
If they can purchase in the capital, these
less. It’s injustice, and I’m not
dates within that price correspondents found that
happy about it.” range, they will sell them
Workers’ leader Safar jilapi is being sold at Tk
at the price set by the
Uddin at Burimari land port 200-300 per kg, up from
justified lower female Moniruzzaman Monir, general secretary government, they said.
highlighted that equal pay for Tk 150-220 last year.
wages, attributing it to the of Bangladesh Sanjukta Sramik Federation Only the price of onions
women has been a longstanding has decreased by Tk 5-15. The iftar sellers claimed
demand, attributing the exploitation surplus of female jobseekers. in Lalmonirhat, warned of addressing the that the prices of jilapi
Onions are being sold at Tk
to widespread unemployment in rural Mahtab Uddin, a stone trader at issue with stone traders. increased due to a surge
85-100, down from Tk 90-
areas. Sonahat land port, said, “Female workers He said, “If women workers’ demands aren’t in the price of ingredients,
110 two days ago.
However, stone trader Shamsul Islam don’t perform as well.” met, a united movement will ensue.” Additionally, upon including sugar and flour.

A century-old tradition Three RHD engineers

FROM PAGE 3
The most popular item
in the market is “Boro
Baper Polay Khay”, which
is a mixture of chickpeas,
minced meat, potatoes,
brains, chira, egg, chicken,
spices and ghee. The item is
sold at Tk 800 per kg.
Other famous items
include beef and chicken
roasts, mutton and chicken
cutlet, keema roll, keema
paratha, borhani and
various types of kebabs
including Suti, Jali, Irani,
and Tika.
Malai cup, firni, plain
parathas, namak para, doi
bora and feluda are some of
the other items found in the
market.
Prices of most of these
items have increased due to
the price of essentials.
Many come to
Chawkbazar from all across
Dhaka, like Raihan Ahmed
Shamim and Sharmin
Hasan who visited the iftar
market from Moghbazar.
Abdul Hannan, a resident
of Keraniganj, said they
are habituated with these
traditional iftar items since
their childhood, which is
why even after leaving old
Dhaka he came here to
purchase his iftar.
“I spent 12 years in a
school and college in old
Dhaka. Which is why I still
come here every year to take
these items for my family,”
said Amzad Hossain, a
resident of Mirpur-12.
Trader Mohammad
Hossain, whose business
has been running here for
the last 35 years, said his
family has been selling iftar
items in the market since
the British period.
“My grandfather sold
iftar items in Chawkbazar
during the British rule, my
father is Pakistani and now
I do business here,” said
Hossain.
Similarly, Md Kawsar,
a trader of shahi jilapi,
said they have been in
this business since his
grandfather started it.
“We are selling each kg of
shahi jilapi for Tk 300 and
the price of bombay jilapi is
Tk 250 per kg,” he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds
of makeshift shops
mushroomed in different
areas of the capital since
yesterday. Traders are
opening up stalls and
selling a variety of iftar
items in their localities.
RU teacher
FROM PAGE 5
regard, following which
the academic committee
decided to suspend Hafizur.
Asked why a probe
committee was not
formed to investigate the
allegations, the chairman
said the accused had
admitted to the allegations
against him. So, it was not
necessary.
“The issue will be
presented in the upcoming
syndicate meeting for
further action,” he added.
Meanwhile The Daily
Star has failed to contact
Hafizur despite repeated
attempts since Monday.
FROM PAGE 5
confirmed by Mir Nizam
Uddin Ahmed, current
executive engineer of RHD
in Brahmanbaria.
The three suspended
officials allegedly colluded
with the firm to make this
possible. A departmental
case has been filed against
them.
Among
suspended,
those
Pankaj
Bhowmik was executive
engineer of Brahmanbaria
RHD during the start of
the construction work.
Before suspension, he was
working at Jamalpur Roads
and Highways Department.
Among the other two,
Daisy Roy Tumpa was
Beef at Tk 595 per kg
FROM PAGE 3
sale of meat at the price.
Talking to reporters, he
said, “Khalil has started
selling the beef at Tk 595
per kilogramme. I believe
the price of beef in Dhaka
will drop below Tk 700
again.”
Before the January 7
national election, Khalil’s
name entered popular
discussion as he sold beef at
Tk 595 per kg, infuriating
other meat traders. Some
even threatened him.
However, the traders were
forced to decrease their
prices then. But the price
of meat started to increase
after the election.
During the inauguration,
Shafiquzzaman said Khalil
earlier sold beef at Tk 595
when others used to sell at
Tk 800. His initiative had
an impact on beef prices
across country, forcing
meat traders to sell the beef
at Tk 650 for a month.
But the price of cattle
suddenly increased and
Khalil had to raise the price
of his beef. Even so, he was
able to sell beef at Tk 50 less
per kg than other traders,
Shafiquzzaman said.
working in Brahmanbaria
prior to suspension,
while Khandkar Nesar
Ahmed was stationed at
Mymenshingh.
This order was issued in a
notification signed by ABM
Amin Ullah Nuri, secretary
of the Ministry of Road
Transport and Bridges
The letter said a two-
member committee of RHD
has investigated the issue.
During the investigation,
the allegations were
initially found to be true.
Meanwhile, The Daily
Star published a report
in this regard, titled “Tk
53 crore withdrawn for
an unfinished road,” on
January 31.
Shafiquzzaman
announced that Khalil
would be given the “Best
Trader” award during
the national programme
marking World Consumers
Rights Day on March 15.
He requested members
of law enforcement and
Body recovered
intelligence agencies to
ensure protection for
Khalil as he was threatened
from Shitalakhya
during his sale at discount
price before the national Our Correspondent, with several injury marks,
election. N’ganj including a neck cut, in the
afternoon, said Officer-in-
Police yesterday found an Charge Md Shahidul Islam
unidentified dead body of Narayanganj Sadar River
in the Shitalakhya River Police Station.
in Narayanganj’s Syedpur The police sent the body to
area. the Narayanganj General
Locals discovered the body, Hospital morgue.
approximate age 30-32,
 2nd Edition

CITY 5
DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024
FALGUN 29, 1430 BS

CORRUPTION SALTWATER INTRUSION

Three RHD
engineers
suspended
OUR CORRESPONDENT,
Brahmanbaria
An executive engineer
and two sub-divisional
engineers of Roads and
Highway Department
have been suspended for
allowing a contractor
to withdraw bill before
finishing the construction
work on a road.
A contractor firm tasked
with the construction
of Nabinagar-Shibpur-
Radhika regional highway
in Brahmanbaria withdrew
the entire Tk 53 crore bill
for the project without
completing it.
The firm, Rana Builders
Limited, also withdrew
half of the security
deposit, which was earlier
SEE PAGE 4 COL 4
Crisis of drinking water
grips Ctg on 1st Ramadan
SIFAYET ULLAH, Ctg
Saltwater is invading the Halda River
in Chattogram, which is forcing
Chattogram Water and Sewerage
Authority (CWasa) to keep two
treatment plants closed for a certain
period everyday. This environmental
issue has caused a drinking water
shortage, and residents in the southern
part of the city are being provided with
pure drinking water through rationing.
As a result, the residents in
Chattogram port city are facing an
acute water crisis. The situation was
no different yesterday, the first day of
Ramadan.
Some residents of Chawkbazar,
Kathalgonj, Bakoli, Halishahar,
Patenga, Kattoli, Agrabad, Dewan Bazar
and Muradpur area, said they have been
facing water crisis for the last few days
and the situation turned worse as they
did not get a drop of water during Sehri.
Bangladesh is working to ensure economic,
social and political justice for all. The country is
committed to maintain human rights and rule of
law and determined to work to end all forms of
discrimination and oppression across the world including in
Commonwealth countries.
They failed to buy bottled water from Jatiya Sangsad Speaker
shops as those remained closed. Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury
“We are suffering as we are not
getting water regularly,” said Tofazzal
Hossain, a resident of Akmal Ali Road
in the port city’s CEPZ area.
At least a dozen people this
correspondent talked to echoed him.
Maksud Alam, Chief Engineer of
Chattogram Wasa, said, “We have taken
a decision to supply water through
rationing. Initiatives are being taken to
reopen 45 deep tubewells to increase
water production.”
Chattogram usually relies on
two rivers for its water supply. Four
treatment plants currently process
about 50 crore litres of water daily for
the city. However, two of these plants
-- Mohra and Madunaghat -- located
on the banks of the Halda River, are
facing a challenge. The dry season has
SEE PAGE 4 COL 7

Md Rabbi, a farmer, sprinkles urea fertiliser on his Boro paddy field in Harishena village under Barishal’s Gournadi
upazila. The fertiliser is usually added to crops around three weeks after plantation. Working from 7:00am to
2:00pm, he makes Tk 500. The photo was taken recently. PHOTO: TITU DAS

Rab arrests six 100-DAY ACTION PLAN RU teacher

for highway suspended
extortion
209 brick kilns for 5 years
UNB, Natore

Rapid Action Battalion

shut down so A CORRESPONDENT, RU

arrested six people over
allegedly extorting money
from vehicles carrying
goods on the Natore-
Bogura Highway under
Singra upazila of Natore
early yesterday.
The arrestees were
Ariful Islam, Hafiz, Mansur,
Bakul Khan, Nazrul Islam
and Kudrat.
Based on a tip-off,
members of Natore Rab
Camp conducted a drive
on the Natore-Bogura
Highway and found fake
receipts of money of
various organisations and
cash from them.
Natore Rab Camp Senior
Assistant Director Sanjoy
Kumar Sarkar confirmed
the matter.
A case was filed against
the six and they were
handed over to Singra
Police Station, he said.
A Rajshahi University
far: Saber teacher was relieved of all
academic duties yesterday
STAFF CORRESPONDENT over harassing female
students.
A total of 209 brick kilns have been shut down Hafizur Rahman,
till March 10, said Environment Minister Saber associate professor at the
Hossain Chowdhury yesterday. university’s Islamic studies
He made the remark at a meeting held at the department has been
secretariat to review the progress of the 100-day suspended for five years,
priority action plan programme of the Ministry effective immediately, said
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. the department chair Prof
Presiding over the meeting, the minister said Md Ashraf-uz-Zaman.
legal action has been taken against 458 illegal According to him,
brick kilns to date as part of the implementation students of the department
of the ministry’s special action plan. formed a human chain in
The campaign against illegal brick kilns will front of the university’s
continue through drives to control air pollution central library on Monday,
in the capital, said Saber, adding that due to accusing Hafizur of
the use of technology, ministry officials cannot forcing students to remove
choose brick kilns as per their choice. their hijabs in classroom.
The minister directed the officials to They also alleged him of
announce the revised road map to ensure harassing several female
the use of 100 percent blocks in government students on social media.
constructions and take necessary measures in A written complaint
this regard, alongside implementing the priority was also filed with the
programmes timely to fulfil the ministry’s department in this
commitment to people. SEE PAGE 4 COL 3
 City

6 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024
FALGUN 29, 1430 BS

I went to my mother’s grave and cried:

Shibli Mohammad on Ekushey Padak honour
DOWEL BISWAS
Creative pursuits can originate from
a variety of sources. Perhaps the
purest of artistic expressions come
from the understanding of the pain,
turmoil and suffering of one’s own
life. A person who has seen the worst
of life knows and appreciates life better
and this is the very case with legendary
classical dancer Shibli Mohammad,
who just received the second-highest
civilian award, Ekushey Padak, for his
contribution to Bangladesh’s art and
cultural scenario.
“It was probably because we, as a
family, went through so many hurdles
and sufferings in my early years, that
it made me more polite, optimistic,
grounded, closer to life and more able
to see the innate beauty of this world,”
stated the legendary dancer.
A trendsetter by his own merit and
steadfast promoter of the inclusion of
male classical dancers in Bangladesh,
Shibli Mohammad is trained
by one of the biggest names
of classical dancing in South
Asia, the late Pandit Birju
Maharaj, known as the father
of Kathak dance.
Speaking of his inspiration
behind becoming a classical
dancer, Shibli shared, “As a
family, we all were inclined
to different genres of cultural
practices, but my biggest
inspiration is my mother.”
“Take my brother, Sadi
Mohammad, as an example. He is
one of the finest Rabindra Sangeet
exponents of our time, and I used to
sing with him too. But it was dancing
that I could most relate to,” said Shibli,
a physics graduate from Jahangirnagar
University. He was awarded the Indian
Government Scholarship to train at
the Bhatkhanbe Music Institute in
Lucknow, India, which changed his fate
forever.
“I never had to look back after that.
Dancing was what defined me innately
and I just kept doing what I love and
success followed me,” Shibli said.
“Pandit Birju Maharaj was a great
admirer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and when I took tutelage under
him, he used to call me by Bangabandhu’s
name out of his love for the persona
and the country he represented. Guruji
wanted me to spread the practices of
classical dance in Bangladesh and I am
trying to do just that,” stated Shibli, with
a strong conviction.
Responding to a question regarding if
he had faced any stereotypes in practicing
classical dance in a conventionally female-
indoctrinated arena in the country,
Shibli said, “Of course, I did. Firstly,
my family was not ready to send me to
PHOTOS: SHEIKH MEHEDI MORSHED
India to become a dancer, but seeing my
passion towards the craft, they eventually
agreed. When I came back with a vision
to establish myself as a dancer in my
country, I was mocked many times, and
I realised that the only way I could prove
my point was by keeping up my work, and
that is what I am still doing.”
Pointing out his decades-long
legendary pairing with Ekushey Padak-
winning choreographer Shamim Ara
Nipa, the dancer said, “Nipa was already
a star when I started my career here, and
there was a scarcity of male dancers at
that time. So, I got a chance to work with
her in shows and later formed a divine
friendship that has lasted till now.”
The artiste further cleared the air of
being in a romantic relationship with
her. “Nipa and I actually understand the
reasons behind the common speculations
about the manner of our relationship
and we do not mind. I would say that it is
because of our strong, innate friendship
and respect for each other that allowed us
to create that magic on stage and screen.
We are best of friends,” explained Shibli.
Regarding the recent national
recognition he received, the artiste
shared, “I never worked for any awards
or recognition. However, my mother, the
greatest source of my inspiration, had a
desire to see me receive the award. The
moment I received the selection call, I
ran to my mother’s grave and cried my
heart out, letting her know that I got the
recognition she wanted for me.”
Shibli lost his father, martyr
Salimullah, as he was brutally murdered
by the Pakistani army in 1971. At that
time, his mother Zebunnessa jumped
from the roof of her house to save her
life on that fateful night of March 26
and both of her legs had been rendered
unusable since then. She spent the last 15
years in a wheelchair, in the same house,
while single-handedly providing for her 11
children by doing embroidery work, until
her death last year.
“The days of struggle really opened my
eyes towards certain values and taught me
how to treat people equally. Today, when
I see people hungry and sick in poverty, I
remember the times when I was also living
their lives. I try as best as I can, but seeing
others do the same is what will promote
change,” said the cultural personality.
Shibli takes pride only in his dedication
to his craft and the thousands of students
he trained at the Nrityanchal Dance
Company, a pioneering dance institution,
co-founded by him and Shamim Ara Nipa.
“Not only males, but physically and
mentally challenged people come to
Nrityanchal to learn dancing. My only
aspirations are to promote dance amongst
my students and support them financially
in the forms of accommodation facility
and stipend; so that they can keep doing
what they love,” shared Shibli.

COUNTRYWIDE
LALMONIRHAT AND KURIGRAM
Manpower
FROM PAGE 12
Growing support for Mujib’s demands
Hashim made the FROM PAGE 12 situation, only Sheikh a territory whose frontiers the headquarters of the

132 Illegal brick kilns statement in response

pollute environment
OUR CORRESPONDENT, Lalmonirhat
A total of 132 brick kilns, located in
different upazilas of Lalmonirhat
and Kurigram, are running illegally,
posing serious environment pollution
and health hazard for people living in
nearby residential areas.
Surprisingly, only 41 out of a total
of 173 brick kilns in 14 upazilas of
the two districts have obtained no
objection certificate (NOC) from the
Directorate of Environment (DoE)
while the remaining 132 are running
without any valid license or legal
papers.
Locals said though most of the
brickfields have been continuing
operation illegally for years, no visible
legal action is being taken by the
authorities concerned.
They also alleged that owners of
the illegal brickfields are so influential
that no one dares to protest them.
Moreover, almost all the brick kilns
have been built either on agricultural
land or close to residential areas, they
said.
Farmer Azizar Rahman of
Tentultala village in Kurigram’s
Ulipur upazila said production
of crops and different fruits and
vegetables on surrounding farmlands
has been gradually decreasing due
to emission of toxic smoke from the
brick kilns.
Although a huge amount of top
soil is being used for making raw
bricks every year, they do not dare to
This brickfield at Daldalia village in Kurigram’s Ulipur upazila has been continuing
operation for long, much to the nuisance of local residents.
to a question about
how Malaysia is going
to address the problems
of an estimated 1-2 lakh
Bangladeshi workers who
are jobless, unpaid or
protest the brick kiln owners, fearing underpaid, and indebted in
unnecessary harassment, he said. Malaysia now.
Sobhan Ali, another farmer from She said the
Madonerchak village in Lalmonirhat Malaysian government
Sadar upazila, said they have lodged really appreciates the
written complaints to the authorities contribution of the
concerned on several occasions, but hard-working people of
no legal step has been taken yet in Bangladesh in Malaysia,
this regard. where about eight lakh
According to the sources at DoE, Bangladeshis work.
Of them, over four lakh
a total of 88 out of 111 brick kilns in
workers went to Malaysia
nine upazilas of Kurigram do not
since the end of 2022.
have any legal permission from the
DoE. Initially, a syndicate of
On the other hand, only 18 out
of the 62 brickfields in five upazilas
25 recruiting agents were
selected by Malaysian
authorities to conduct the
of Lalmonirhat have obtained no
recruitment and later the
objection certificate (NOC) from the number was expanded to
concerned authorities. 100.
Kurigram DoE Assistant Director
However, the migrants
Rezaul Karim said they have already said each of them were
prepared a list of illegal brick kilns,
charged around Tk 5 lakh
currently operating in different for recruitment cost, while
upazilas of the district, and they will a significant number of
conduct separate drives to demolish migrants remain jobless or
those illegal brickfields very soon. underpaid and indebted.
Azeharul Islam, assistant director About this, the Malaysian
(AD) at Rangpur DoE, said they envoy said the Malaysian
cannot conduct drives against the government takes this issue
illegal brickfields quite regularly due very seriously and that it is
to shortage of manpower. taking all the measures to
Contacted, Kurigram DoE address all the problems.
AD Rezaul Karim said they have Hasan Mahmud said
the meeting was a courtesy
conducted separate drives about a
call but they discussed the
week ago and fined two brick kilns Malaysian labour market, and
-- MHT Bricks and DA Bricks in the importance of Malaysian
Nageshwari upazila -- a total of Tk 9.5
lakh for no having valid documents
and prior approval from the DoE.
investment in Bangladesh.
“Malaysia
Bangladesh’s eighth largest
is
investor. We discussed
that Malaysia could make
more investments in the
economic zones here.”
They also spoke about
labour welfare in Malaysia,
as well as issues related to
bilateral trade, said officials
concerned.
The Malaysian envoy
said Malaysia is supportive
of Bangladesh’s bid to
become the ASEAN
dialogue partner. Malaysia
also wants to sell defence
equipment to Bangladesh,
PHOTO: STAR they added.
elected representatives.
‘TEETERING ON THE
BRINK’
The Economist, on March
13, 1971, wrote in an
article titled “Teetering
on the brink” that Martial
law was pushing East
Pakistan towards declaring
independence -- unless
Sheikh Mujib got the
substance of full autonomy.
Commenting on the
upcoming visit of Yahya
Khan, the paper suggested
that the only realistic course
for the president appeared
to be acknowledging
that, in the current
Talks on to send back 179 BGP members
FROM PAGE 12
camp of Myanmar entered
Bangladesh through the
Jamchhari border in Sadar
Union of Bandarban’s
Naikhongchhari upazila in
two phases, according to
Border Guard Bangladesh.
This happened due to
the volatile situation in
Myanmar, said the foreign
minister.
In reply to a query, he
said, “We keep contact
with Myanmar regarding
this issue. If necessary, the
Myanmar ambassador will
be summoned.”
Asked why the BGP
members are allowed to
Indian troops
FROM PAGE 12
“We also support the
Maldives in developing
friendly exchanges and
cooperation with all
parties on the basis of
its independence and
autonomy.”
India is suspicious of
China’s growing presence
in the Indian Ocean and its
influence in the Maldives as
well as in neighbouring Sri
Lanka.
The archipelago, better
known for its white sand
beaches and where tourism
Mujib was preventing an
outright declaration of
independence. The paper
recommended that a deal
be struck with Mujib while
he still maintained control.
Comparing the situation
to the one in Biafra
where Britain supplied
the Nigerian government
with arms to crush the
secession, The Economist
indicated that no British
government would wish
to get involved in a civil
war in Pakistan. They
presented the following
reasons for the different
response: “East Pakistan is
enter Bangladesh and
whether there is any lack of
competency, the minister
said, “This is not a matter
of competency. They also
entered India and they
were sent back through
discussion. When they
were attacked by their
opponents, they crossed
into Bangladesh.”
The 179 BGP members
have been taken to BGB
Government Primary
School in Naikhongchhari
upazila town from a tea
garden near the zero line,
said Shah Mujahid Uddin,
deputy commissioner of
Bandarban.
accounts for nearly a
third of its economy, is
also strategically placed
halfway along key east-west
international shipping
routes.
Relations between
Male and New Delhi have
chilled since Muizzu took
office.
New Delhi considers the
Indian Ocean archipelago
to be within its sphere of
influence, but the Maldives
has shifted into the orbit of
China -- its largest external
creditor.
already exist. Sheikh Mujib
has demonstrably wider
support there than General
Ojukwu had in the territory
claimed for Biafra. The
70 million East Bengalis,
culturally distinct from
their western partners, not
only constitute a nation
that qualifies for self-
determination by present
standards, but actually
represent the majority
of Pakistan’s whole
population.”
CIVILIAN STAFF OF
DEFENCE ORDERED TO
JOIN DUTY
A martial law order from
They would be
repatriated on completion
of verification of their
identities and other
procedures, he said.
Nurul Absar Imon,
chairman of Sadar
Union Parishad in
Naikhongchhari, told The
Daily Star that locals are
living in panic after the
BGP members entered
Bangladesh and a union
parishad member was shot
by a bullet allegedly fired
from Myanmar.
He said they heard
sounds of gunfire and
mortar shell explosions
from the other side of the
Sherpur journalist
FROM PAGE 12
appeal against the mobile
court verdict.
On March 5, the mobile
court handed the jail term
to the 45-year-old journalist
for allegedly misbehaving
with two government
employees while trying
to collect information
from the office of Nokla
Upazila Nirbahi Officer
Sadia Ummul Banin.
Shafiuzzaman had been
behind bars since then.
I n f o r m a t i o n
Commissioner Shahidul
Alam visited Sherpur to
Martial Law Administrator
Zone ‘B’ instructed all civil
employees in East Pakistan
to return to work, with
a warning that failure to
comply would result in
dismissal and legal action.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
commented that such an
order, amid the Bangalees’
resistance against military
rule, would only fuel
provocation. He expressed
that the people were
no longer intimidated
by such threats, as they
were resolutely committed
to achieving their
freedom.
border for several days until
Sunday. Now the situation
is calm but the people are
afraid, he added.
On February 15, a total
of 330 Myanmar nationals,
who fled to Bangladesh
to escape the fighting
in Myanmar, were sent
back to their homeland.
They included 302 BGP
members.
During the fighting
along the border areas, a
Bangladeshi woman and
a Rohingya man were
killed on February 5 when
a mortar shell fired from
Myanmar exploded in
Bandarban’s Ghumdhum.
conduct an enquiry into
the incident.
Shafiuzzaman’s family
said the journalist sought
information from the
UNO office regarding the
purchase of computers and
laptops under the Annual
Development Programme
(ADP).
On March 7, the
Information Commission
issued a notification
mentioning that the
journalist sought
information under the RTI
Act. It tasked Shahidul with
investigating the incident.
INTERNATIONAL
Muslims need
not to worry
about CAA
Says India
OUR CORRESPONDENT,
New Delhi
India today said its
Muslims need not worry
as Citizenship Amendment
Act has not made any
provision to impact their
citizenship and has nothing
to do with the present 18
crore Indian Muslims who
have equal rights like their
Hindu counterparts.
CAA seeks to give Indian
citizenship to “persecuted”
non-Muslim migrants from
Bangladesh, Pakistan and
Afghanistan who came to
India till 2014.
To a question if there is
any bar for Muslims from
seeking Indian citizenship,
a home ministry statement
said “No. There is no bar
on Muslims from anywhere
in the world to seek Indian
Citizenship under Section 6
of the Citizenship Act, which
deals with the citizenship by
naturalisation.”
Asked if there is any
provision or agreement for
repatriating illegal Muslim
migrants to Bangladesh,
Afghanistan and Pakistan,
the statement said India
does not have any pact
or agreement with any
of these countries to
repatriate migrants back to
these countries.
“This CAA doesn’t deal
with the deportation of
illegal immigrants and
therefore the concern of
a section of the people
including Muslims and
students that CAA is
against Muslim minorities
is unjustifiable,” it added.
A resident walks in the ruins of destroyed houses following what local Russian-installed authorities say
was a Ukrainian military strike on the outskirts of Makiivka (Makeyevka) in the Donetsk region, Russian-
controlled Ukraine, yesterday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday the situation for his
troops was improving having “halted” Russian advances on the front.
GREAT POWER COMPETITION, TRANSNATIONAL CHALLENGES
US faces ‘increasingly fragile
world order’: spy chiefs
REUTERS, Washington
US intelligence agencies said
on Monday the country faces
an “increasingly fragile world
order,” strained by great power
competition, transnational
challenges and regional conflicts,
in a report released as agency
leaders testified in Congress.
“An ambitious but anxious
China, a confrontational Russia,
some regional powers, such as Iran,
and more capable non-state actors
are challenging longstanding
rules of the international system
as well as US primacy within it,”
the agencies said in their 2024
Annual Threat Assessment.
China is providing economic
and security assistance to Russia
as it wages war in Ukraine, by
supporting Russia’s industrial base,
the report said. It also warned that
China could use technology to try
to influence this year’s US elections.
In her testimony to the Senate
Intelligence Committee, Director
of National Intelligence Avril
Haines urged lawmakers to
approve more military assistance
for Ukraine.
Central Intelligence Agency
Director William Burns, like
Haines, said continuing support
for Ukraine would send a message
to China about aggression toward
Taiwan or in the South China Sea.
Haines noted concerns that
the conflict in Gaza between Israel
and Hamas could spread global
insecurity. “The crisis in Gaza is
PHOTO: REUTERS
a stark example of how regional
developments have the potential
of broader and even global
implications,” Haines said.
She noted attacks by Houthi
militias on shipping and said the
militant groups al-Qaeda and ISIS
“inspired by Hamas” have directed
supporters to conduct attacks
against Israeli and US interests.
After a protester interrupted
the hearing with shouts about the
need to protect civilians in Gaza,
Burns was asked about children in
the Palestinian enclave.
“The reality is that there are
children who are starving. They’re
malnourished ... It’s very difficult to
distribute humanitarian assistance
effectively unless you have a
ceasefire,” he said.
DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024
ECONOMIC CHAOS
Pak cabinet
tasked with
ending crisis
AFP, Islamabad
Pakistan Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif announced
the key members of his
cabinet, tasking them with
leading the country out of
a crippling economic crisis
fuelled by debt, spiralling
inflation and a feeble rupee.
Pakistan’s 19 new
ministers took their oath
of office Monday, after
an election marred by
allegations of vote rigging.
Finance Minister
Muhammad Aurangzeb --
chief of a leading Pakistan
bank, with a background in
international finance -- was
one of the only technocrats
to be appointed among a
group of Sharif loyalists.
Second-time-PM Sharif
heads a fragile alliance
backed by his Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz
party’s long-term rivals, the
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Pakistan’s economy is
dependent on International
Monetary Fund (IMF) loans
to service its repayments
-- a programme that
comes with a number of
conditions.
Sharif told his cabinet on
Monday they would need
to perform “deep surgery”
on the nation’s finances,
adding that: “The foremost
challenge our nation
confronts is inflation.”
PPP refused to assume
any ministerial positions,
instead taking only the
president’s role for party
leader Asif Ali Zardari, the
widower of assassinated
former prime minister
Benazir Bhutto.
PM Sharif is expected to
make further appointments
in the coming months.
In the coming weeks,
Pakistan must negotiate
the latest tranche of a $3
billion loan with the IMF.
7
FALGUN 29, 1430 BS
Trump to free
Capitol rioters if
reelected
AFP, Washington
Donald Trump on Monday pledged to free people
jailed for taking part in the 2021 attack on the
US Capitol as one of his first actions if reelected,
calling them “hostages.”
The rioters -- egged on by Trump and fueled
by his false claims of voter fraud --
stormed the seat of US democracy on
January 6, 2021, in a bid to halt the
transfer of power to Joe Biden.
Around 1,358 defendants have
been charged in the 38 months
since then, according to the latest
figures from the Justice Department
released last week. About 500 have
been sentenced to prison terms.
Trump posted the comments on his Truth
Social website, additionally promising to shut
down the border with Mexico as part of his first
acts if reelected, without providing details.
Trump is virtually assured of being the
Republican presidential nominee now that his
last remaining rival, Nikki Haley, dropped out of
the race following his overwhelming wins in the
primaries.
Covid-19 cut life
expectancy by
1.6 years: study
AFP, Paris
Covid-19 caused the average life expectancy of
people worldwide to fall by 1.6 years during the
first two years of the pandemic, a major study said
yesterday.
This marked a sharp reversal during a decades-
long rise in global life expectancy, according to
hundreds of researchers sifting through data for
the US-based Institute for Health Metrics and
Evaluation (IHME).
“For adults worldwide, the Covid-19 pandemic
has had a more profound impact than any event
seen in half a century,” said Austin Schumacher,
an IHME researcher and lead author of the study
published in The Lancet journal.
During 2020-2021, life expectancy declined
in 84 percent of the 204 countries and territories
analysed, “demonstrating the devastating potential
impacts” of new viruses, he said in a statement.
The rate of death for people over 15 rose by 22
percent for men and 17 percent for women during
this time, the researchers estimated.
8 EDITORIAL
DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024
FALGUN 29, 1430 BS

Why is the irrigation water crisis

FOUNDER EDITOR: LATE S. M. ALI

Ramadan price
not getting due attention?
Kallol Mustafa and corruption by operators of the since 1992.

pledge rings hollow

is an engineer and writer who focuses
on power, energy, environment and
pumps from which water is available. When the project was functional,
development economics. He can be According to the rate fixed by the the irrigation cost was only Tk 2,000
reached at kallol_mustafa@yahoo.com Barind Multipurpose Development per acre, but now the farmers have
Food prices continue to climb Authority (BMDA), farmers are to spend Tk 8,000-10,000 per acre
supposed to pay Tk 125 per hour for for irrigation by lifting underground
as holy month begins a two cusec (cubic foot of water per water using deep tube wells. Moreover,
second) pump and Tk 110 per hour surface irrigation would reduce the
We are disturbed by the total failure of the government’s price for a one cusec pump. But in most pressure on underground water and
control measures ahead of the holy month that saw prices of
KALLOL MUSTAFA
cases, farmers are forced to pay more also save 70 percent of energy on
most essentials, especially those related to iftar, reach insane
heights. In the span of just a few days, the prices of eggplants, With all three pumps of the Ganges-
green chillies, coriander leaves, cucumbers, tomatoes, pulses, Kobadak (GK) Irrigation Project out
lemons, dates, potatoes, chickpeas, sugar, ginger, garlic, and of order, hundreds of thousands
gram flour have all seen alarming hikes. The price of onion, as of farmers in Kushtia, Chuadanga,
per a report, has seen an unbelievable 223 percent hike per kg Jhenaidah and Magura, who depend on
compared to its price during the last Ramadan. Prices of other water from the GK project for irrigation,
Ramadan essentials like Tang and Rooh Afza have similarly are in a deep crisis as they are not
risen, as have those of both local and imported fruits. getting the irrigation water they need
It is any wonder, then, that ordinary consumers have for Boro cultivation. The GK project is
described this hike-fest as insufferable? The government’s the largest surface irrigation system in
repeated assurances of stability in kitchen markets during the country set up by the Bangladesh
Ramadan ring hollow in the face of such stark realities. The Water Development Board (BWDB) on
question is: why can’t the authorities control prices despite the bank of Padma (Ganges). According
supposedly enhancing market monitoring, vowing tough to Banglapedia, the project covers
legal action against price manipulation, shoring up supplies, 197,500 hectares, of which 142,000
and reducing import duties on some items? While the lack of hectares are net irrigable and are under
effective monitoring mechanisms and interventions is certainly the jurisdiction of Kushtia, Chuadanga,
an issue, one major factor that continues to be ignored by the Jhenaidah and Magura districts. Under
policymakers is extortion during the transportation and sales this project, water is pumped from
of goods. the Padma River and distributed to
the fields using the canal system that
Traders, while talking to this paper, have stressed the
stretches 1,655 km. Three main pumps
importance of putting an end to the extortion culture, which
with a designed capacity of 37 cumec
they believe would really help in keeping prices in check.
(cubic metre per second) each and 12
Traders are reportedly being forced to pay extortionists at subsidiary pumps with a capacity of
multiple stages while bringing a product from grassroots to the 3.5 cumec each are used for pumping
wholesale markets. Even after buying from wholesale markets, water from the river to the canal.
retailers also have to pay additional money to secure their Because of the Farakka Barrage,
release. Unfortunately, the gaggle of syndicates, middlemen, it is often not possible to pump the
hoarders, and extortionists that generally exert an oversized required water from the Padma during
influence on the supply chain draw their power from their the dry season, as during that time
association with the ruling establishment. water levels are way below the level for
It is, therefore, essential that the government takes stern which the pumps have been designed.
action to prevent these people and forces from destabilising As Padma’s water level has fallen, water Farmers in the Barind region have been suffering from irrigation water shortage due to the depletion of Padma water
the market. It is equally important to undertake regular drives supply has been kept normal only and uncontrolled extraction of underground water using deep tube wells. FILE PHOTO: PALASH KHAN
across the country to punish errant traders and retailers in Kushtia and Chuadanga during
inflating prices. The fact that prices have skyrocketed despite the Boro season, while water flow to the GK project is Tk 300 per year, to get irrigation water. There is also average. The BADC proposed a new
there being sufficient food supplies is totally unacceptable. the canals in Magura and Jhenaidah while the cost of lifting water from no remedy as deep tube well operators project worth about Tk 470 crore to
As Ramadan unfolds, we urge the government to honour its has been kept shut for several years. underground to irrigate the same area are politically appointed. Two years keep the irrigation system running,
commitment anyway possible. The spirit of Ramadan must not Moreover, according to the BWDB, of land is about Tk 5000. As a result, ago, two Santal farmers, Abhinath but it has not been approved even after
be overshadowed by the burden of astronomical prices. the condition of the project’s physical many farmers are unable to start Mardi (36) and his cousin Robi Mardi three and a half years.
infrastructure has deteriorated cultivation on time. Facing the risk of a (27), died by suicide in Godagari, It is evident that due to long-
gradually due to insufficient funding decline in this year’s Boro harvest and Rajshahi allegedly after the local tube standing neglect on the part of the
Alarming level of hill for proper maintenance.
Out of the three pumps in the
project, pumps 2 and 3 have been out
huge losses for themselves.
Farmers in the Barind region
have also been suffering from
well operator refused to give them the
irrigation water they were entitled to.
relevant authorities, hundreds of
thousands of farmers are facing
Yet, the situation has not improved. irrigation water crisis in the country.
cutting in Sylhet of order for the past few years. The 12
subsidiary pumps also have been out
of order since 2001. In such a situation,
irrigation water shortage for a long
time due to the depletion of Padma
water and uncontrolled extraction
Meanwhile, around 50,000 farmers
of Brahmanbaria’s Ashuganj and
Although the government is spending
thousands of crores of taka on various
Narsingdi’s Palash upazilas have megaprojects, it is not investing
Authorities must take stern when the only working pump went
out of order on February 19 this year,
of underground water using deep
tube wells. The groundwater been deprived of irrigation water adequately and timely to solve
for three years, since the Ashuganj- irrigation problems faced by farmers
action against the culprits the supply of irrigation water was
completely stopped. BWDB officials
level has dropped especially in 21
unions of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Palash Agro-Irrigation Project was for a long time. The country’s politics
cannot say when the water supply will Chapainawabganj. As a result, on not renewed upon expiry. As a result, has been dominated by business elites
While reports on hill cutting from Sylhet and other regions
resume. Representatives of the farmers the one hand, adequate water is not Boro cultivation in 15,000 hectares for so long that, although agriculture
of the country are nothing new, a new revelation has raised
have been told to make their own available from the deep tube wells of land under the project is being is very important for the country’s
alarm. According to a report by Prothom Alo, around 20-30 disrupted. Under this project, the food security and employment
percent of hills in the four districts of Sylhet have been cut “arrangements” for irrigation. under the irrigation project for the
Thus, hundreds of thousands of Barind region, while on the other cooling surface wastewater of power generation, farmers’ interests are not
down over the last 25 years. Only around 1,875 hills remain plants, which is collected from given much priority by policymakers.
farmers are suffering due to lack of hand, farmers are being deprived of
today, but these are in constant danger of being flattened Meghna and Shitalakkhya rivers, was These problems do not seem to get
investment in timely maintenance of the fair share of the little water that is
by private individuals and even government agencies. This is used to irrigate the command area the attention they deserve as national
the GK project. As an alternative, some available. That’s why they are forced to
really alarming. The question is: can Bangladesh, being one are trying to lift water with the help cultivate other crops instead of rice. of the project. This has been a green issues. No wonder farmers’ suffering
of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, afford of shallow machines, but the cost of Farmers are not getting enough project of Bangladesh Agricultural due to the lack of irrigation water is
to chip away at its own natural resources and thereby call for irrigating one bigha with water from water on time due to irregularities Development Corporation (BADC) not ending.
disaster?
In 2012, the High Court had banned all kinds of hill cutting

Progress null if we fail rural women

in Sylhet. But as the rampant practice of hill-cutting suggests,
hardly anything has been done to enforce the ban. And while
the Sylhet office of the Department of Environment is known
to conduct drives occasionally, reports say officials often show
up only after a hill has been cut by the culprits. The effects Lipi Rahman should receive the fisherfolk social climate change and persisting poverty
of this state of affairs have been visible in the intensity of is executive director of
Badabon Sangho.
safety cards. So the policy exists, but are pushing more men to migrate
myriad floods and landslides over the past few years, including its implementation remains unrealised to urban areas for job opportunities
the 2022 Jaintapur landslide that killed four members of a because of patriarchal ideas around and the participation of men in the
family. Ironically, the hills are often cut so that structures women’s work. agriculture sector has diminished by
can be built there, but those can hardly stand the test of such I often think of Amina (one of over 10 percent in the last decade. This
“development” activities in the long run. the group members of Badabon void has been filled by female workers,
In the coming days, unless the relevant authorities and Sangho) who said, “I work on my own but with little change to their existing
district administration take stern action to prevent hill LIPI RAHMAN family land without pay.” Although situation.
cutting, we may have to see more human-made calamities in the contribution of women in the These problems have existed for
our hilly regions. Usually, it is the most disadvantaged groups decades, across generations and
that reside at the foot of risky hills or on flattened hilly land. It My work as a women’s rights activist women being deprived of their right communities, and even when progress
is crucial for the government to rehabilitate these populations has taken me across Bangladesh to to inherit land by their own family Though the is made, it is often undone with
humanely, and also stamp down those who are cutting hills for some of its remotest and rural parts. members and land grabbers. Child communities in worsening climate change. Though the
their narrow interests. It is also vital to raise awareness of the Witnessing the struggles of women marriage, trafficking, and violence Bangladesh’s coastal communities in Bangladesh’s coastal
massive harm that such environmental degradation—through in these regions led a group of us to against women and girls persist. I still belt have faced the belt have faced the wrath of Mother
cutting hills, encroaching and polluting rivers, destroying establish Badabon Sangho in 2016, find women with no decision-making Nature their whole lives, an increase in
wrath of Mother salinity, rising sea levels, unpredictable
forests, etc.—is doing to our future as a nation. with the intention of empowering power, who are completely dependent
vulnerable female landowners, on their husbands or fathers. I still Nature their whole weather, and natural disasters are
fisherfolk, and farmers along the meet men who view women’s labour lives, an increase in destroying livelihoods and homes at a
coastal belt. In the last 20 years. I have as “helping the family” rather than salinity, rising sea rate that we cannot imagine. We are
LETTERS witnessed progress in some areas, but contributing to the economy. levels, unpredictable witnessing the suffering of families
with young children who have had to
TO THE EDITOR for a lot of these communities, I find
that the situation remains largely the
Before working in the coastal
belt area, I had no knowledge about
weather, and natural
disasters are destroying shift homes over 12-14 times. We are
same. fisherfolk women or their immense encountering large numbers of women
letters@thedailystar.net Yes, we have been able to mobilise contribution to the food supply chain. livelihoods and homes who are suffering from various new
more women to assert their rights and This community of women in the at a rate that we cannot health and reproductive issues which

Stop stockpiling for engage with their local government.

We do see stronger leadership among
women who are raising their voices
Ramadan against discrimination. There are more
female representatives on different
Increasing commodity prices during Ramadan has become committees of local government to
a common phenomenon in Bangladesh. And we blame the build women’s leadership. I’m so proud
businessmen as if they are the only ones responsible. But we of our young activists opposing child
should also consider our roles. During and before the month of marriage who have also formed their
Ramadan, we start buying products such as dates, chickpeas, own football team, against all odds.
onions, and cooking oil, in large amounts. This sudden buying But these numbers are small and not
spree creates high demand, but the supply is often not enough enough. I know change takes time and
to cover it, resulting in a supply shortage in the market. Yes, I
we must celebrate our progress, but
agree that businessmen are responsible for price hikes during
I can’t help but feel impatient about
Ramadan; but we can’t deny that we are responsible too.
this slow rate of change, especially
Shefat bin Hossain when some of the basic problems
Dhaka still remain. I still meet countless
Sundarban area spends around 12-
14 hours a day in the water, catching
fish and processing them to sell in the
market. Ironically, their contribution
is not recognised because it is still
socially unacceptable to label women
as fisherfolk. They might be doing
hard labour and earning for their
family, but aren’t granted the title of
fisherfolk. Not getting recognition
means not getting fisherfolk cards, not
getting the card means not receiving
the social safety net benefits they
are entitled to. It is noteworthy that
government guidelines in 2019 do
not discriminate between genders
and dictate that all women fisherfolk
imagine.
agriculture sector is huge, they still do
not have sufficient access to the market
or to money, and decision-making
powers are still held by husbands,
brothers, and in-laws. A glaring gap
in knowledge about inheritance laws
makes it so that many women don’t
claim their rights. Additionally, being
raised in a patriarchal society socialises
women to have low self-esteem, and
so they are emotionally manipulated
to give up control of the land they
own and stay dependent on the men
in their lives. Interestingly, issues of
further impact their social standing.
I wonder if readers are as tired of
learning about the dire situation of
rural women as I am. And if we are,
then imagine how tired they must feel.
International Women’s Day is meant to
inspire solidarity to realise the rights
of all women, so we cannot ignore the
struggles of women in agriculture.
They are huge contributors to our
economy and providers of the fish
and vegetables we love, but they still
remain unaware of their equal rights.
Without them, we are far poorer. Let us
not falter in our commitment to uplift
these women, to amplify their voices,
and to ensure their rights are realised.

The Daily Star EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Mahfuz Anam EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Registered & Head Offices: The Daily Star Centre Newsroom: Fax- 58156306 Advertisement: 01711623910 Subscription: thedailystar.net
Reg. No. DA 781 Printed by him on behalf of Mediaworld Ltd at Transcraft Ltd, 229, Syed Ashfaqul Haque 64-65 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Dhaka-1215 reporting@thedailystar.net advertisement@thedailystar.net 01711623906 bangla.thedailystar.net/
Tejgaon Industrial Area, editor@thedailystar.net Phone: 09610222222 GPO Box: 3257
OPINION 9
DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024
FALGUN 29, 1430 BS

OSCARS 2024

War won big, but the

problem wasn’t the winners
FILE PHOTO
We see widespread wastage of food items during Ramadan, which goes against the spirit of the holy month. For film industries, 2023 was
undoubtedly a great year, making this
Ramisa Rob
is a journalist at The Daily Star.
RAMISA ROB
entities and military members who
make and execute the decision to
more nauseating.
The director, Jonathan Glazer,
who is Jewish himself, was the only
one in the ceremony to speak about
Gaza. He said, “All our choices were
made to reflect and confront us in the
present, not say, ‘Look what they did
then,’ rather ‘Look what we do now.’”
He went on to condemn the usage
of Holocaust by an “occupation,”
though one could sense self-
censorship as he read his speech from

Can’t we make this

year’s Oscars the most anticipated
since Parasite made history before the
pandemic. In many ways, the Oscars
is just a silly award show, but in the 96
years of its existence, it has become a
kill are born with psychopathic
behavioural disorders. As both films
show, it is often ordinary people, or
extraordinarily brilliant people who
find themselves in the monster seat.
a piece of paper, his hands shaking
visibly. The only other one who spoke
of the dark content being rewarded
was Cillian Murphy. He said, “We live
in Oppenheimer’s world” (an ode

Ramadan better than global pop culture phenomenon. Two

blockbusters scoring nominations
in major categories have revived the
thrill of “good” movies and brought
Before the lead actor award was
announced in this year’s ceremony,
Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley
aptly described Cillian Murphy’s
to the last line of the deadly chain
reaction his character started), and
ended his short speech dedicating
his award to the “peacemakers.” The

the last one? critics and moviegoers closer. The

In the weeks leading up to Ramadan,
there is usually a great sense of
anticipation and enthusiasm among
devout Muslims. Friday khutbahs
(sermons) are dominated by advice
from the pulpit to the congregation
about how best to prepare for the
month of fasting. Following the noble
example of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH), as part of rehearsal prior to
Ramadan, many Muslims observe
voluntary fasting in the month of
Shaban. Some start reducing food
or nutrient intake. All these are in
preparation for Ramadan fasting
and, in my opinion, are admirable
practices.
Unfortunately, although I more. Sumptuous food for iftar
consider myself an observant
Muslim, I have not been able to
share the same feeling of excitement
about Ramadan. Instead, I have been
gripped by a sense of foreboding
and disillusionment. For years, I
have noted how many Muslims
have forgotten the true spirit of this
holy month. Instead of cultivating
the beautiful teachings this month
offers—such as patience, self-
control, self-discipline and a sense
of sacrifice—they seem to slip into
the quagmire of both feasting and
wasting food.
Other practices that have violated
the spirit of Ramadan over the years
include excessive use of disposable
plastic for water bottles and food
packaging. These contribute to waste
that ends up in landfills, causing
great danger to the environment.
Mass consumption of plastic
materials is also harmful to the
oceans and marine habitats as well
as the coastal areas and beaches. We
all know about the ever-expanding,
so-called Great Pacific Garbage
Patch (GPGP) that is three times the
size of France and is “rapidly altering
and destroying the physical and
chemical makeup of the planet.” It
is now common knowledge that the
“buildup of plastic in the oceans and
around the world threatens the well-
being of nature’s wildlife and future
generations” (Kinsley Anderson,
Synthetic Seas: The Great Pacific
Md Mahmudul Hasan, PhD
is professor of English at the
International Islamic University
Malaysia. He can be reached at
mmhasan@iium.edu.my
MD MAHMUDUL HASAN
Garbage Patch, 2017).
As for food wastage and plastic
pollution among Muslims during
Ramadan, what is more worrisome is
that most people known as religious
scholars or imams do not seem to
understand the urgency of these
issues. We rarely hear them address
such environmental concerns when
discussing the virtues of Ramadan
fasting—what we often hear is the
merits of certain rituals.
It is a great irony that, while
Muslims are supposed to eat less
for physical benefits and spiritual
purification during Ramadan, most
of them are seen eating and wasting
(fast-breaking supper) and sehri
(pre-dawn meal) has become more
common, especially among well-off
Muslims. This is one of the reasons
behind the price hike of necessary
food commodities. This puts the
poor at a further disadvantage as
they have to struggle to buy daily
essentials. What’s more, such
extravagant shopping leads to an
increase in food waste, while the poor
starve or become malnourished.
For religious people, food waste
is one of the worst forms of showing
ungratefulness to the Almighty and
to those humans whose hard work
brings food to the dining table. It is
pure arrogance to assume that we
own what we have, therefore we have
the right to waste. For people who do
not believe in God, food waste is also
a sign of arrogance and disrespect
to those who invest time and energy
into cultivating land, producing
food, processing and transporting
it, etc.
Despite stern warnings in the
Quran against food waste, it is
unconscionable that, as research
shows, every year there is an increase
in food waste in Muslim-majority
countries during Ramadan. It is
bewildering that in a month when
Muslims are supposed to connect
with the divine in a meaningful
way, they disobey the Almighty by
wasting food.
It may strike a discordant note,
but one reason for food waste
during Ramadan is the misdirected
generosity of Muslims. There is a
statement attributed to Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH), which says,
“Whoever gives iftar to a fasting
person will have a reward like his,
without detracting from the reward
of the fasting person in the slightest.”
This is a beautiful hadith (Prophetic
tradition) that has the potential to
strengthen human bond between
the haves and the have-nots. In the
spirit of this hadith, the rich should
reach out to the poor and offer them
food for iftar and sehri.
Unfortunately, this noble sense
of food generosity has taken wrong
turns and fallen into misguidance.
While some Muslims give food to
the poor, most throw lavish iftar
parties which are a recipe for food
waste. In such parties, the poor
have little access and are often
seen waiting outside for leftovers.
Moreover, many Muslims use
Ramadan days as occasions for
socialising. They invite families and
friends to iftar and, again, rich food
menus are prepared to entertain
fasting guests, which goes against
the spirit of gastronomic restraint
expected during Ramadan and has
the potential to lead to waste.
At both iftar parties and family
invitations, plastic water bottles and
plastic food packaging are widely
used. Being not a stranger to such
occasions, I have seen many people
take a sip of water from a plastic
bottle and then leave it on the table.
Moreover, not many people finish
the food that is given in the plastic
package, while many others take
on their plates more food than
they need or are able to consume.
Eventually, what we see at the end
of iftar parties are big piles of food
waste and plastic pollution—not
good for the environment or for the
spiritual well-being of those who are
involved in such practices.
On a final note, for months
we have seen in the media how
Palestinians have been victims of
hunger caused by Israeli cruelty. We
do not know whether Palestinian
Muslims will have enough food for
iftar or sehri this Ramadan. Even
after knowing their plight, if we
dare to waste food and get involved
in irresponsible behaviour, we may
have to admit that we have a dead
conscience and are truly drifting
away from the divine path.
addition of hundreds of international
voters since the #OscarsSoWhite
controversy also saw a historic three
foreign films nominated in the Best
Picture category, extending the base
for excellence in film-making beyond
Hollywood.
Despite the diversity,
Oppenheimer, an expansive film
about J Robert Oppenheimer, the
scientist who made the atomic
bomb, created by celebrated
director Christopher Nolan, bagged
seven wins—the same as last year’s
Best Picture winner Everything
Everywhere All At Once. Nolan’s film
deals with heavy subject matter—
from quantum physics to war crimes
of dropping the first and only nuclear
bombs in warfare—yet it’s been
watched widely and a lot of people
have liked the cinematic experience
that leaves one with disturbing
thoughts after the credits roll. No
matter what one thinks of Nolan,
or his wife Emma Thomas, who
was the producer, it’s hard to argue
“objectively” that his direction was
not excellent. It is equally difficult
to criticise the whole film as just an
Oscar-bait “biopic,” the same way it
is too simplistic to reduce the film to
a mere tale of “White guilt”—another
common criticism of the first box
office blockbuster in decades to win
Best Picture. Oppenheimer is indeed
about the guilt of a White scientist,
and that, too, is significant. Those in
the West who are creating weapons
right now can learn something from
it.
Nolan’s choice to omit the
Japanese people’s perspective is
contentious, but Oppenheimer
paints horrors and ruins of war
through sounds provoking the
audience’s sensory neurons, much
like The Zone of Interest, another
World War II movie which won the
Best International Film. Both films
delve into the perspectives of war
from the perpetrators’ sides; they
are not asking viewers to empathise,
but offering imagery to see “how” the
dehumanisation unfolds. Those with
blood on their hands, the executives
in the corporations making the
weapons, are human beings who
live among us. Not all political
performance in Oppenheimer to
have encompassed humanity, though
his character created something
so inhuman. The significance of
Oppenheimer lies in the fact that we
get to see the dreadful possibilities
of the human mind: how scientific
curiosity and a quest for achievement
venture into catastrophic creations.
Many elements of the Best Picture
winner are very relevant today: the
arms race in the film between the
US and the Soviets parallels the AI
race in today’s Cold War era, and
more frighteningly, we have seen the
fruits of technological advancement
Oppenheimer is
indeed about the
guilt of a White
scientist, and that,
too, is significant.
Those in the West
who are creating
weapons right now
can learn something
from it.
deployed to kill Gazans.
Both The Zone of Interest and
Oppenheimer make the audience
introspect how war crimes occur.
Art should not have to spoon-feed
moral messages to be considered
meaningful. In a year of great
movies—but also a year marked
by the onslaught of another war
in the Middle East and genocide
of Palestinians, while the Russia-
Ukraine war rages on and the US-
China Cold War intensifies—the
Academy awarded Oppenheimer,
The Zone of Interest, and 20 Days
in Mariupol for Best Documentary
Feature. This shows the new kind of
favoured story-telling is challenging
narratives of mass human conflict,
flipping the portrayals of cartoonish
crazy villains.
The Zone of Interest, an eerie take
on the unbothered life of a German
commander’s family sharing a wall
with Auschwitz, predates the genocide
in Gaza, but it answers the questions
we ask of the Israeli perpetrators: how
do they sleep at night?Normally, the
film shows, which makes it all the
Academy Award ceremony in Dolby
Theatre seemed censored, perhaps
purposely and pre-emptively to avoid
controversies.
We love hating the Oscars after
the curtains close and debating
whether those who won deserved
the prestigious honour. But the
notion of a best performance itself is
subjective; it’s not a sport. This year’s
outcome was mostly chalk for those
of us following the buzz, other than
the tight Best Actress race, where
Emma Stone bagged her second
Oscar win over Lily Gladstone, the
first Native American actress to have
been nominated. But it’s hard to
criticise this too, if you see Emma
Stone’s all-time great performance—
with far more screen time than
Gladstone—in Poor Things. Stone’s
win doesn’t feel right—even to
her, judging by the actress’s own
reactions to the announcement of
her name—but it doesn’t feel wrong
either.
The problem with this year’s Oscars
was not the subjective, voter-based
awards itself. There was a general
aura of restraint and formality in
the ceremony, which seems to have
been anticipated and countered
with spotlighting the entertainment
aspects of cinema—piggybacking
on the fun performances of Ryan
Gosling and the catnip traditions
for old-school Oscar lovers, having
former Academy Award-winning
actors laud each nominee in the
acting categories before announcing
the winners.
The main issue with the grandest
night in Hollywood was rather that
despite thought-provoking war films
winning major categories at a time
when horrors are unfolding in the
world, the night was filled with stars
thanking their publicists and kids
and steering a bit too clear from
pressing political issues. Previously,
especially during the Trump era,
the podium of award shows was
rampant with the Brad Pitt type of
sarcastic political jokes, or Joaquin
Phoenix’s lengthy moral signalling
about the environment, or Frances
McDormand’s vivacious feminism.
The billion-dollar industry’s activism
was tragically missing in a year its
presence was most needed.

CROSSWORD
BY THOMAS JOSEPH
ACROSS 43 Car quartet
1 Game infractions
6 Bank subtraction DOWN
11 Indian coin 1 Monk
12 Sports spot 2 Pound part
13 Advantageous position 3 Surprise win
15 Star pitcher 4 Maui souvenir
16 Orangutan, e.g. 5 Humorist David
17 Compete 6 Sees socially
18 Stops working 7 Drop the ball
20 UFO fliers 8 Dam builders
21 Game cube 9 Spurs on
22 Stew 10 Likes instinctively
23 Fancy parties 14 Fencing sword MONDAY’S ANSWERS
26 Rodeo rope 19 Notion
27 Opera piece 22 Stadium crowd
28 Took the title 23 Hockey game start
29 Upper limit 24 Sign of error
30 Security system parts 25 Tout
34 Snaky shape 26 Most extensive
35 Small barrel 28 Hoe target
36 Greek X 30 Loses traction
37 Low probability of 31 Earthy color
success 32 River of France
40 Psychoanalysis pioneer 33 Places
41 Play part 38 Solar system center
42 forest flora 39 Biol or chem.

WRITE FOR US. SEND US YOUR OPINION PIECES TO

dsopinion@gmail.com.
10 DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024, FALGUN 29, 1430 BS
ADVERTISEMENT
 DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024, FALGUN 29, 1430 BS
T SPORTS Dortmund vs PSV STAR SPORTS SELECT
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Live from 2:00 am HD1
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Live from 2:30 pm SONY SPORTS 1 Bournemouth vs Luton
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League (Thursday) (Thursday)

“The rivalry is obviously

great. I think we need
Cameroon
good competition.
We’re going to play
some competitive
face Cup of
cricket. I expect exactly
the same again... And
obviously both teams
Nations ban
will be looking for REUTERS, Yaounde
the same, I should
imagine.” Cameroon have suspended a player they took to the Africa
Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast earlier this year for
Sri Lanka coach allegedly falsifying his name and date of birth, which could
Chris Silverwood see them face a future ban from the tournament.
The Cameroon federation FECAFOOT on Monday named
Wilfried Nathan Douala among 62 players suspended from
Bangladesh have a 19.23 win percentage in ODIs against the league over administrative irregularities, mostly double
Sri Lanka as they won 10 encounters out of 54. The identity and age cheating.
Lankans won 42, while two produced no results. There was considerable surprise ahead of January’s Cup
of Nations finals, where Cameroon went out in the second
At home, the Tigers won six of the 20 ODIs against the round, when coach Rigobert Song picked the 17-year-old
Lankans who won the other 14. Five of those wins came Douala, an unheralded player from second division club
in Mirpur for the Tigers, while a solitary victory which was Victoria United with no previous international experience.
There was also much comment on social media about
also the Tigers’ first win over Sri Lanka came in Bogura in whether he was really a teenager when pictures of the
2006 after 15 attempts. player first surfaced.
An investigation by the French daily Le Monde claimed
For Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim has featured in 36 Douala had previously played in the Cameroon league
meetings, the most, against Sri Lanka and also has scored using the name Alexandre Bardelli and was over 21-years-
the most runs (1072) amongst active players of both sides. old.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto pays close attention to head coach Chandika Hathurusingha Tournament regulations says that if a fraud or a forgery
Soumya Sarker is 59 away from completing 2,000 ODI during training at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday, on the eve of their opening game has been committed, the national association concerned
runs. of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. [Inset] Shanto and Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis pose with will be suspended from participation in the following two
the trophy. PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED editions of the Cup of Nations.

Booters eager to Tigers ‘prepared’ to leave SHORT CORNER

‘Players’ talent sans board’s vision
do well against 2023 woes behind won’t propel Bangladesh cricket’

Palestine SPORTS REPORTER

SPORTS REPORTER Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka
in the first of the three-match ODI
Having enjoyed a one-day rest following a goalless draw series in Chattogram today, and
against Sudan in an unofficial practice match in Al Taif, the newly appointed skipper Najmul
Bangladesh national football team resumed training for Hossain Shanto is eager to see his
Tuesday’s second and final practice match as part of their side make a strong comeback in the
preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers against Palestine. format after the disappointments
Out of the 28 squad members, coach Jaiver Cabrera of last year’s fifty-over World Cup
gave match-time to 24 players to see the progress of their in India, and also find a quick reply
one-week preparation in Saudi Arabia ahead of the March to the loss against Sri Lanka in the
21 match against Palestine. Midfielder Rabiul Hasan said preceding T20I series at home.
that they all are working hard for a good result against the Between 2015 to 2022, the Tigers
Middle Eastern nation. amassed 50 wins in the 50-over
“We have a special format, losing 31 games, but the
plan for Palestine and scenario reversed in the following
everyone is working hard year as they lost 14 ODIs, winning
so that we can produce nine games – including only two
a good result,” said victories in nine matches at the
Rabiul.“Everyone in the mega event.
squad is trying to give “There is always a challenge
their best and are eager before playing any international
for the match because team. We have played well from 2015
everyone knows it is going to 2022, and so you can perform
to be difficult to return to badly in one year [2023]. But we
the side if they lost position since there are good players in have to come back strongly as a
every position,” said the Abahani midfielder, who believes team this year and we are prepared
the current squad is a balanced one. for that,” Najmul told reporters
Cabrera has taken some young players with the squad during yesterday’s pre-series press
in a bid to give them exposure with the senior players. conference at Chattogram’s Zahur
Rookie midfielder Chandon Roy is enjoying training with Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, which
the seniors. “I got a call to the national squad before and will also host the remaining matches
earned some valuable experience. This time I have been on March 15 and 17.
called up again and I believe I can do something better,” One of the curious factors which
said Chandon, who emerged from the BFF Elite Academy has come under the limelight during
before joining Sheikh Russel via players’ auction. the World Cup was the frequent
“There are similarities between club training and changes to the batting order.
national team training in terms of theory and game. So Shanto, who also captained the
club training is helping me a bit in that regard.,” added Tigers in the recent away ODI series
Chandon. in New Zealand, felt that the batting
“Everyone
requires
consistency,
it’s not something
Soumya [Sarkar] needs
separately. Every batter
needs improvement in
this area, and Soumya
himself is working
on it. If you consider
the last [ODI] series,
in those kinds of
conditions [in New
Zealand], playing an
[169-run] innings like
that is a big thing for
our side.”
Bangladesh captain Najmul
Hossain Shanto said about
Soumya Sarkar.
order will be “a settled one”.
“When we played the last
series against New Zealand, there
was not much change. Without
Shakib [Al Hasan] bhai, sometimes
combinations must change. With
him, making the side is easier.
We will keep that in mind when
structuring our batting order. We
will do what is best for the side and
hope that the batting order will be a
settled one,” Shanto said.
Without Shakib, one or two
batters are taking up at least one slot
in batting order. The opening stand
had been an issue since Tamim
Iqbal’s decision to opt out of 2023
World Cup, after which Soumya
Sarkar and Anamul Haque opened
in all three New Zealand ODIs.
“We want hundred percent
from him in batting, bowling and In a detailed conversation with The Daily Star on
fielding,” Shanto said about roles their multimedia program, ‘Star Special’, coach
Soumya would be expected to fill.
Mohammad Salahuddin delves into various
“He returned to the lineup after facets of Bangladesh cricket, shedding light on
a long time in the last ODI series.
the looming challenges facing the Tigers and the
He played three matches and in one
factors impeding their fulfilment of expectations.
of them he played a big innings.
Everyone requires consistency, *Scan the QR code above to see the full interview on
it’s not something Soumya needs The Daily Star website.
separately. Every batter needs
improvement in this area and Abahani too hot for Azad
Soumya himself is working on it. If Title contenders Abahani extended their winning
you consider the last series in those run to three matches in the Green Delta Insurance
kinds of conditions, playing an
Premier Division Hockey League after inflicting a
innings like that is a big thing for
our side,” he added.
massive 10-1 defeat on Azad SC at the Maulana
Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.
Above all, when asked about the
approach for the next World Cup,
the message Shanto sent was that Mushfik takes four as
his team has to play as a unit. Mohammedan beat City Club
“What’s important is whether we Mohammedan SC pacer Mushfik Hasan starred
are able to play as a team, whether we
with four wickets to guide his side to a 43-run
win or lose. We tried to play the New
Zealand series as a team, wanting to win over City Club in the Dhaka Premier League
win every match, in every situation. in BKSP yesterday. Mushfik returned four for
“Till the next World Cup, the 43 and was aided by Ariful Islam, who scalped
plan is to play well as a team and three, to help bundle out City Club for 197 after
support each other. Especially when Mohammedan posted a 241-run target.
someone is going through a bad
phase, it’s about backing that player.
In the next three years, it’s key how Read full stories on The Daily Star website
united we are,” he concluded.

Atletico to bank on
Griezmann to down Inter
AFP, Madrid
Atletico Madrid host Champions League
runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday
boosted by key player Antoine Griezmann’s
likely return from injury.
Diego Simeone’s side stumbled 1-0 in
Milan in February in the last 16 first leg
clash, with Griezmann spraining his ankle
at the San Siro.
The French forward missed four games
since, of which Atletico have won only once,
but has returned to training and Spanish
media say he is set to feature in the second
leg.
Struggling Atletico face an uphill climb
against the runaway Serie A leaders after
Marko Arnautovic netted the only goal on
Simeone’s return to Italy to face one of his
former teams from his playing days.
Atletico were ousted from the Copa del
Rey by Athletic and despite a strong start
to the season in LaLiga, are at fourth, 14
points behind current league leaders Real
Madrid.
Despite the woeful performance Simeone
backed his men ahead of the Inter clash.
“I feel that the team is giving everything
and it’s me that is not finding the right way,”
said the coach.
“I’ll go to the death with the players
Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo remonstrates with officials during his side’s AFC Champions League quarterfinal second-leg against because I know what they can give, I know
UAE’s Al-Ain at the Al-Awal Park Stadium in Riyadh on Monday. The Portuguese superstar scored in extra time but Al Nassr were dumped they can do big things, and I will keep
out on penalties after the tie had ended 4-4 on aggregate. PHOTO:AFP working with them.”
Under Simeone, Atletico have won five of
their six knockout games against Italian
teams in major European competitions.
Inter have only lost one of their last 13
Champions League games (seven wins, five
draws), keeping a clean sheet in 62% of
those matches (eight).
Antoine Griezmann has
scored 31 of Atletico’s
total of 169 goals in
the Champions League
(18%). Of all clubs with
at least 100 goals in the
competition, only Lionel Messi for Barcelona
(21%, 120/561) has netted a higher share of
his team’s total.
Simeone’s last chance of silverware this
season lies in Europe and the coach will be
grateful for Griezmann’s potential return.
The 32-year-old forward has 18 goals in
36 appearances across all competitions this
season.
Atletico are also boosted by their strong
home record. At the Metropolitano stadium
they have won 18 of 20 matches this season
across all competitions, tumbling just once
-- against Athletic in the cup.
 City

12 DHAKA WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024, FALGUN 29, 1430 BS

MYANMAR CONFLICT

Talks on to INDOMITABLE MARCH

send back
179 BGP Growing support
members for Mujib’s demands
Says foreign minster
STAFF CORRESPONDENT,
from both wings
Cox’s Bazar SHAMSUDDOZA SAJEN

Foreign Minister Hasan Mujib’s demands garnered widespread support

Mahmud said Dhaka is in both wings of Pakistan. Even smaller parties
in talks with Naypyidaw from West Pakistan backed the Awami League.
to send back another 179 Leaders of West Pakistani parties endorsed
members of Myanmar’s Mujib’s four demands and advocated for interim
Border Guard Police. governments at both central and provincial
The BGP members levels. They criticised Bhutto’s insistence on
will be sent back like the prior agreement on constitutional matters and
330 Myanmar nationals emphasised Mujib’s commitment to considering
repatriated earlier, he suggestions from the majority party. Additionally,
said while talking to they urged Yahya to meet with Sheikh Mujib to
journalists after a meeting address misunderstandings, apprehensions, and
with Malaysian High suspicions. [Srinath Raghavan, 1971: A Global
Commissioner Haznah Md History of the Creation of Bangladesh, Permanent
Hashim at the former’s office Black 2013, pg. 46]
in the capital yesterday. Khan Abdul Wali Khan, the leader of the
On Monday, 179 BGP National Awami Party, arrived in Dhaka. During
members took shelter an interview with journalists at the airport, he
in Bangladesh amid the voiced his complete support for Sheikh Mujib’s
fighting between the junta demands. He also warned that the current crisis
force and the Arakan Army could jeopardise Pakistan’s unity. Khan Abdul
in Rakhine state. Wali Khan demanded the immediate withdrawal
The BGP members of military control and the transfer of power to
from the Angthapaya The metro station near the capital’s Secretariat saw heavy crowds yesterday, as officegoers rushed home for the first iftar of this Ramadan. SEE PAGE 6 COL 4
SEE PAGE 6 COL 4 In most offices, the duty-hours have been cut short for the month of fasting. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

Bumblebees teach Sherpur

journalist
each other how to
solve puzzles: study
freed on bail
STAR REPORT
INDEPENDENT.CO.UK T h e
Bumblebees can teach each other to solve
Sherpur
journalist,
complex puzzles that are too difficult to learn who was
alone, scientists have found. jailed for
Experiments have shown the insects are able to six months
learn a complicated puzzle box task from their by a mobile
peers to gain access to a sugar reward. court for Shafiuzzaman
But when there was no help involved, individual alleged
bees struggled to complete the misconduct while seeking
puzzle from scratch. information from the
The researchers said their
Nokla UNO’s office on
study, published in the
March 5, was released on
journal Nature, shows
bail yesterday.
bees can learn complex Shafiuzzaman Rana,
tasks through the Nokla correspondent
social interaction, for Bangla daily Desh
challenging the Rupantor, walked out of
long-held view that Sherpur District Jail in the
this trait is unique to evening, his wife Bonna
humans. Akter told reporters.
To carry out the study, the Jail Super Mohammad
scientists set up a two-step Humayun Kabir Khan
puzzle box task where the bees also confirmed the
first had to learn how to move an obstacle before development.
operating a rotating lid that could be opened to Earlier in the day,
access a sugar solution. the court of Sherpur
The scientists trained “demonstrator” bees to Additional District
complete the task, with a temporary reward at the Magistrate Jebun Nahar
first step. granted him bail after
Untrained bees learned to open the two-step box hearing the bail prayer,
from the demonstrators without needing a reward reports our Mymensingh
after the first step. correspondent.
However, when there were no demonstrators to The magistrate fixed
show how it was done, the bees failed to solve the April 16 for hearing the
puzzle independently through trial and error. SEE PAGE 6 COL 6
First aid ship sails to Gaza
as famine looms
Qatari spokesperson reports no progress in ceasefire talks; overnight
Israeli attacks kill 80 more, dozens more missing under rubble
AFP, Palestinian Territories
A Spanish charity ship taking food
aid to Gaza left the Mediterranean
island of Cyprus yesterday in hopes
of opening a maritime corridor
to the war-ravaged Palestinian
territory.
The Open Arms set sail towing
a barge loaded with 200 tonnes of
relief goods for the sea journey of
about 400 kilometres (250 miles),
as Cyprus said it was readying a
second ship.
“The departure of the first ship is a
sign of hope,” European Commission
chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on
social media platform X. “We will
work hard together for many more
ships to follow.”
Heavy Israeli bombardment
again rained down on Gaza, killing
at least 80 people overnight, and
dozens more were missing under
the rubble, said the health ministry
in the Hamas-run territory.
“At least 80 martyrs arrived at
hospitals, the majority children,
women and the elderly,” it said in
a statement.
The army said its forces were
raiding targets across Gaza and
had found “AK-47 rifles, vests and
explosive devices” in a military
compound in the main southern
city of Khan Yunis.
The Israeli offensive war since
October 7 has levelled vast parts
of the coastal strip and sparked
dire food shortages that have led
Death toll in Gaza rises
to 31,184
UN says sea, air drops
can’t replace overland
aid delivery
US hits targets in Yemen
as Huthis vow to step up
Red Sea attacks
the UN World Food Programme
to warn “famine is imminent” in
northern Gaza.
As the flow of aid trucks
from Egypt has slowed -- a trend
variously blamed on the war,
the growing insecurity on the
ground, and cumbersome Israeli
EXPLOITATION
OF WORKERS
Manpower
recruiting
syndicates
to blame
Says Malaysian high
inspections of cargo -- Western
commissioner
and Arab governments have
stepped up daily airdrops.
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
However UN and other relief
agencies warn that parachuting M a l ays i a n
in aid parcels is less effective and H i g h
falls far short of the hundreds Commi-
of truckloads needed every day ssioner to
to sustain the population of 2.4 Bangladesh
million people. Haznah Md
The humanitarian crisis has Hashim
gripped Gaza at a time Muslims has blamed Haznah Md
have since Monday observed manpower Hashim
the month of Ramadan, where recruiting syndicates in
daytime fasts are traditionally both Bangladesh and
broken with lavish evening iftar Malaysia for the labour
meals with family and friends. exploitation in the
In Gaza’s southern city of Rafah Southeast Asian country.
-- now home to nearly 1.5 million “One of the reasons we
people, many of whom have are facing these issues is
sought refuge in crowded shelters because of the syndicates,
and makeshift tents -- one woman,
which means it operates
Umm Muhammad Abu Matar perhaps here [Bangladesh]
from Khan Yunis, told AFP that and in Malaysia also. It
this year, Ramadan has “the taste requires cooperation from
of blood and misery”. both countries to tackle the
Since October 7, Israel’s issues,” she told reporters
retaliatory bombardment and after a meeting with
ground offensive have killed Foreign Minister Hasan
31,184 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly Mahmud at the foreign
women and children, according to ministry yesterday.
the territory’s health ministry. SEE PAGE 6 COL 3

Indian troops begin

Maldives pullout
Development comes after the island Bangladesh
nation signed ‘military assistance’ face SL in
deal with China last week
search of
ODI groove
AFP, Malé
STORY ON PAGE 11
India has begun withdrawing military personnel
operating surveillance aircraft in the Maldives after the
new pro-China president ordered them to leave, defence
authorities said Tuesday.
An official of the Maldives National Defence
Force (MNDF) said 25 Indian troops deployed in the
southernmost atoll of Addu had left the archipelago
ahead of March 10, the official start of the withdrawal
agreed by both sides.
“We can confirm that the Indian troop withdrawal is
underway,” the MNDF said in a statement to AFP.
President Mohamed Muizzu came to power in
September on a pledge to kick out Indian security
personnel deployed in the Maldives to patrol its vast
maritime border.
The two sides had agreed to complete a withdrawal of
PRAYER
89 Indian troops and their support staff in the Maldives TIMING
by May 10. MARCH 13
Local officials said the three Indian aircraft -- two Fazr Zohr Asr Maghrib Esha
helicopters and one fixed-wing plane -- will be operated AZAN 4-55 12-45 4-306-10 7-30
by Indian civilian staff, who have already arrived.
JAMAAT 5-05 1-15 4-45 6-20 8-00
Last week, the Maldives signed a “military assistance”
deal with China as the Indians prepared to leave. SOURCE: ISLAMIC FOUNDATION
The Maldivian defence ministry said the deal was to
foster “stronger bilateral ties” and that China would train SEHRI, IFTAR TIMING
its staff under the pact. RAMADAN MARCH SEHRI IFTAR
“We support the Maldives in safeguarding its territorial 02 13 6:10
sovereignty,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Wang
Wenbin told reporters in Beijing yesterday. A Palestinian family prepares to break their fast during the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan sitting amidst the ruins of their 03 14 4:49 6:11
SEE PAGE 6 COL 4 family house in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza Strip, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP
04 15 4:48 6:11