Archive for November 13th, 2006
Monday, November 13th, 2006At least one man has been killed and many injured during a clash between police and political activists near Hotel Sonargaon crossing today.The clash broke out at about 11:30am when police tried to disperse Awami League workers who were holding a rally on the road. Being dispersed the angry workers set afire a police van at about 11:40am.Police used tear gas shells and rubber bullets to control the mob. During the clash an unidentified man aged about 38 died. Witnesses said he was run over by a police car during the chase and counter chase.
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006At least 10 passengers were injured as three bogies along with engine of a passenger train derailed due to displacement of slippers at Hawakhali area between Kaoraid and Mashakhali stations early today.Railway sources said the engine and three bogies of theDweanganj-bound train from the capital veered off the track at about 2:45 am causing the injuries.The sources said the mishap occurred as demonstrators displaced some slippers of the rail line following the nonstop siege programme of 14-party combine.Rescue train rushed to the spot and started their salvage operation at about 8:30am. But train communication between the northern region and Dhaka ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006Eleven buses were damaged allegedly by the opposition activists, who are mostly garment workers, in the upazila today morning, on the 2nd of 14-party combine’s nonstop blockade programme.Witnesses said a group of unruly demonstrators attacked and damaged five buses with sticks at Savar bus stand while six at Shimultola at about 7am.On information, police rushed in and brought the situation under control. None was arrested in this connection.
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006In a sudden unilateral move, keeping his advisers in the dark, President and Chief Adviser to the caretaker government Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday decided to deploy army across the country in aid of the civil administration to maintain law and order.The home secretary had sent the decision to the local administration in the afternoon.But a late night handout by a joint secretary of the home ministry said: "In fact, regarding the army deployment the government has decided that the troops might be deployed after taking into consideration the situation. Since no such situation has arisen, the decision to deploy the army ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006Normal life and business activities came to a standstill as an indefinite blockade programme enforced by the 14-party alliance demanding implementation of its 11-point task started yesterday across the country. The first day's blockade passed off almost peacefully.In general, the activists of the Awami League-led alliance followed the police ban on carrying sticks and oars at rallies and gathering. A few places, however, witnessed defying of the ban.The capital was cut off from the rest of the country on the first day of the countrywide blockade.The demonstrators damaged train carriages and buses at different places of the country.However, as both ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006The government has decided to deploy army across the country in aid of the civil administration to maintain the law and order. But the time for army to roll onto the streets has not been fixed.However, Mahbubul Alam, adviser for information, told the media after a meeting of the council of advisers at 9:15pm that the issue of army deployment was not discussed in the council's meeting attended by all advisers."I am not aware of any such circular," Mahbubul said.The circular about the decision for army deployment signed by the home secretary was sent to the district administrators in ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006A hitherto undertow in the Awami League (AL)-led 14-party coalition's movement rose to prominence yesterday as the coalition demanded that President Iajuddin Ahmed relinquishes the office of the chief adviser (CA) to the caretaker government (CG) and appoints a 'non-partisan' person to the post. The coalition also reiterated its demands that Iajuddin removes the present chief election commissioner (CEC) and the three other election commissioners, appoints a 'neutral person' as the CEC, and reconstitute the Election Commission (EC)."Step down immediately from the post of the chief adviser and appoint an acceptable person to the post in accordance with the constitution," ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday threatened to enforce counter programme if Awami League (AL)-led 14-party alliance continues the ongoing countrywide blockade."The blockade programme was not peaceful at all and we cannot allow it for more days. We have to announce programme if they continue their programme," said the BNP leader after a meeting with the business leaders in Dhaka."We are observing them (AL) and will announce our programme any time," he said.When the reporters asked Bhuiyan about BNP-led 4-party alliance's possible reaction if the caretaker government takes decision regarding CEC's resignation, he said, "We will see whether ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006The caretaker government plans to bring some reforms in the Election Commission (EC) in a couple of days as it believes the upcoming election will not get legitimacy if any major political party opts out of it.Advisers to the interim government also differed with the immediate past law minister's observation that resignation of the present election commissioners would lead to a constitutional crisis."We wanted to take some decisions regarding reforms earlier but we failed. Hopefully, you will see a decision in a day or two," Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, adviser for power, energy and food ministries, told reporters yesterday.Akbar Ali Khan, ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006Business activities at the country's sea and land ports came to a halt yesterday due to countrywide non-stop blockade by Awami League (AL)-led 14-party alliance.Sources said loading and unloading of goods at Chittagong seaport suspended yesterday afternoon when blockade-supporting port workers first stop their works and then forced others to do so.Earlier, the 14-party alliance supporters and workers started different programmes from the morning in support of the blockade near the seaport area and different city points.Chittagong City Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury addressed a number of rallies around the port area and threatened to initiate tighter movement from today. "We won't ...
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