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BNP MP gives note of dissent

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications Ministry Wednesday stood divided over the burning issue of Asian Highway as a lone opposition BNP lawmaker on the panel gave note of dissent on the committee''s recommendation for the government to implement the proposed trans-border road, reports UNB.
Briefing newsmen at the Jatiya Sangsad Media Centre in the afternoon, chairman of the standing committee Sheikh Mojibur Rahman said the parliamentary standing committee recommended the government for implementing the project on the Asian Highway along Benapole-Dhaka-Tamabil (AH1) or Banglabandh-Dhaka-Tamabil (AH2) route.
"The meeting recommended making effective the government decision on Asian Highway1 (H1) and Asian Highway2 (H2)," the journalists were told at the briefing.
After the briefing, the lone member of BNP on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications Ministry Nazrul Islam Manju, who was not present at the briefing, told reporters that he gave note of dissent at today''s committee meeting over recommendation on the Asian Highway. His party goes on harping on apprehension that the government is going to give "transit to India through the Asian Highway route".
The MP from the former ruling party, BNP, said he gave objection to the proposed Asian Highway''s Benapole-Dhaka-Tamabil route but they support the Asian Highway through Banglabandh-Dhaka-Chittagong-Teknaf-Myanmar direction.
"The ESACP-recommended criteria are not followed in the proposed Asian Highway routing, like communications from capital to capital, port to port (sea, land and railway), communications for agricultural, industrial and trade and tourism purposes," he said.
Nazrul Islam Manju said he urged the committee meeting to raise the Asian Highway matter on the floor of parliament for discussion.
"Any unilateral decision of the government over this important matter will be suicidal. It will also create political debate," he told the reporters.
The BNP lawmaker said the government would have to take the decision considering national interest, people''s interest and national security.
The parliamentary standing committee meeting today also recommended deploying BDR and RAB for controlling traffic jams in Dhaka city and other relevant areas, as transport tailback became intolerable, especially in this holy month of fasting and festivals.
The Head of the committee, Mojibur Rahman, said the committee formed a parliamentary subcommittee headed by BNP lawmaker Manju to prepare report and recommendation for reclaining gabbed lands of Railways from Khulna to Noapara.
They also discussed giving 7.5 percent price incentive to local contractors for encouraging the local entrepreneurs as one member said a move was made to abolish the provision for engaging foreign contractors.
Alleged irregularities and corruption in awarding contract for collecting toll of Meghna-Gomoti Bridge by the Communications Ministry under the last BNP government were also discussed. "Even the firm is still collecting toll after the expiry of its five-year term," the briefing session was told.
The meeting recommended stopping payment to the toll collector until the investigation is complete.
It also asked for removing unnecessary speed-breakers on the roads and streets and setting up foot-over bridges at the places.

Demo against leasing gas blocks in Bay

News Report

30 hurt in police protesters clash

At least 30 people were injured as police charged batons on anti-gas-block-lease demonstrators in the city on Wednesday.
Some policemen were also injured in the incident when demonstrators hurled brickbats and stones on them.
The trouble erupted at about 12:30 pm when the demonstrators, under the banner of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, tried to move ahead by breaking the police barricade near Bijoynagar area, witnesses and police said.
The committee, comprising mostly leftwing organisations and individuals, called the protest programme against the government''s recent decision to award gas-exploration rights in the Bay of Bengal to US and Irish oil companies.
The witnesses said several hundred activists took out a procession from Paltan area. As the processionists started moving towards and reached Bijoynagar area to lay a siege to Petrobangla head office, police intercepted them.
"As the protesters tried to break the police barricades, the law-enforcers started charging baton on them, leaving many of them injured," said a witness.
The angry protestors retaliated by hurling brickbats and stones on them. They also damaged few motor vehicles during the melee, witnesses said.
Police said their 12 members were injured as the protestors hurled brickbats on them when they were "trying to maintain order".
The injured include Prof Anu Mohammad, member-secretary of the committee, BSD leader Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front
leaders Rahat Ahmed, Biplob Mandal, Mintu Biswas, Keshab Lal Samaddar
Srikanta, Iva Biswas and Rokhsana Afroz Asha and its members Anita Baroi, Sangita Baroi, Tania Alam, Taposhi Rabeya Akhi and Fahmina Mouri.
They are now undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Talking to reporters at DMCH, Anu Mohammad said: "The people have given the government mandate to protect the national resources, but they are trying to hand over the resources to imperialist multinational companies."
Meanwhile, Progotishil Chhatra Jote held a rally at TSC on the Dhaka University campus in protest against the incident. It demanded legal action against those responsible for the incident.

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