Law
Week
Bangla Bhai's bodyguard captured
Joypurhat police arrested a bodyguard of Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai from his house at Uttar Moheshpur in Khetlal upazila. Nurul Haq (Kaiser), a Dakhil examinee of Daniapara Kamil Madrasa in Joypurhat Sadar upazila, was promoted as Pabna district JMB commander months before the August 17 serial blasts, police said, referring to his confession. He was responsible for Bangla Bhai's protection during the latter's anti-communist operations in Bagmara last year, the JMB commander said, adding that he witnessed all of Bangla Bhai's tortures and oppression in Rajshahi region and knew his relations with government officials and cabinet members during the period. Listed as a JMB activist in Joypurhat police book, Nurul Haq was involved with Pabna JMB in the guise of a worker in a genji (vests) factory. There he was known as Kaiser only. --The Daily Star, December 19.
Niko pushes Bapex to okay its illegal pipeline
Canadian company Niko is pushing its Bangladeshi partner Bapex to approve its 19-kilometre flawed and illegal pipeline from Tengratila to Sunamganj and a $10 million development programme for the Tengratila gas field, energy ministry sources said. At the same time, Niko is independently negotiating with multinational cement factory Lafarge for sale of Tengratila gas in future. It has proposed to Lafarge a gas sale price of $3 per thousand cubic feet (mcf). Such gas price negotiation is the first of its kind in Bangladesh as no other oil companies, operating from the mid-nineties, are allowed to independently negotiate with a third party as gas buyers unless Petrobangla declines to buy the gas. The faulty Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between Bapex and Niko however allows such anomaly, the sources pointed out. It has sent a proposal to the Joint Management Committee (JMC) consisting of representatives from Bapex and Niko for approval of its plans for Tengratila (officially known as Chhatak gas field) and Feni gas fields. Tengratila field exploded twice in January and June due to Niko's gross negligence. --The daily Star, December 20.
No amnesty to militants
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia rejected the possibility of declaring general amnesty for the militants and reiterated that her government will stop the bomb terrorism at any cost. "At this moment, there's no question of granting amnesty. The government is taking every necessary steps including amending the existing laws to stop the militant attacks. We won't show any mercy towards them [militants], they will be brought to book," leaders of the Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh (FNB) who met the premier, quoted her as saying during the meeting. She also said those who love the country and want to have it free of terrorism will join the national dialogue. "Alongside holding dialogue with different organisations, the government is carrying out its plans to curb terrorism, " she observed. The NGO delegation urged the government to take a tougher line on the militancy and immediately arrest the kingpins of the militants.--Prothom Alo, December 20.
OC sued for 'murder attempt'
A Jubo League (JL) leader filed a case of attempted murder against the officer-in-charge (OC) of Khilgaon police station and his policemen. Mohammad Abul Kashem Gazi, vice-president of the JL unit of ward no 34 in Dhaka filed the case with the chief metropolitan magistrate's (CMM) court in the capital for making an attempt to kill him during the hartal hours on November 24. The accused are OC Tariuqul Islam, Sepoy Khorshed and Havildar Delwar. In his complaint, Kashem, also a refrigerator mechanic mentioned that he was going to Taltala to buy some spare parts. When he reached the Khilgaon police box at Bishwaroad, some policemen posted at the box picked him up and took him to Khilgaon police station where they beat him mercilessly without any reason until he became senseless. Following a hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate AJM Abdullahel Baqui took the complaint into cognisance and directed the deputy commissioner of Detective Branch to submit an investigation report on the matter. --The Daily Star, December 20.
Cabinet asks for scrutiny of terror finance law
The cabinet at a meeting agreed in principle to enact the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Law 2005 and asked the finance ministry to submit the draft law again after further scrutiny. Meeting sources said the cabinet asked the law ministry to find out if there are overlapping or inconsistencies between the proposed Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Law and the Anti-Terrorism Act 2005.
The draft Anti-Terrorism Act 2005 has already been submitted to the home ministry for its opinion, sources said. The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, however, approved the draft law (amended) on controlling the sale of acid. The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Law provides for a Financial Crime Investigation and Prosecution Office (FCIPO) and allows the government to take foreign assistance to rout the crimes. The law crafted by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) defines terrorist acts and prescribes harsh punishments including life imprisonment and death sentence for them. The new law will replace the existing Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) 2002. The Daily Star, December 20.
US lists actions for Dhaka to check terrorism
A high official of the United States government expressed 'concern' about Bangladesh's future and spelt out the measures the US expects Dhaka to take if it is to become a 'full partner' in its battle against Islamic terrorism. Bangladesh government should close institutions, organisations and facilities linked with Islamic extremists and "capture and prosecute Bangla Bhai and Abdur Rahman," US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs John Anthony Gastright Jr told an online discussion on the current state of US-Bangladesh relations. He also cautioned against those who believe the recent successes of the security forces in capturing senior JMBs figures have ended the terrorist threat. BD News, December 21.
Ahmadiyyas appeal for govt protection
Ahmadiyya community has appealed to the government to stop the zealots of Khatme Nabuwat Andolon Bangladesh (KNMB), which is scheduled to lay a siege to the Ahmadiyya headquarters in the city's Bakshibazar, before they can do any harm.
The KNMB will hold a rally at the north gate of Baitul Mokarram National Mosque after the Juma prayers, take out a procession and then march to besiege the Ahmadiyya base. KNMB activists from 22 districts will join the siege programme, its President Mufti Noor Hossain Nurani told The Daily Star, claiming, "We'll do everything peacefully and will not violate the law." The KNMB also brought out a truck procession from the north gate to drum up support for today's siege aimed at pressuring the government to declare the Ahmadiyyas non-Muslims. Simultaneously, another faction of the anti-Ahmadiyya fanatics under the banner of International Khatme Nabuwat Movement, Bangladesh (IKNMB) will hold rally in the city's Muktangan demanding enactment of a law declaring the Ahmadiyyas non-Muslims. The religious zealots will march towards Dhaka Central Jail for 'voluntary imprisonment'. The IKNMB last year announced a one-year programme to force the government to declare Ahmadiyyas non-Muslims. The Daily Star, December 23.
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