NO TALK WITH KILLERS : PM

What to discuss with killers: Hasina on talks with BNP

The Awami League president went to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospitals’ burns unit to hand over financial assistance to those burnt in violence during the BNP-sponsored blockade and strikes.

“What is there to discuss with killers?” is what she told the media when asked on whether the government would initiate talks with the BNP.

On the issue of a citizens’ call to open a dialogue, Hasina said: “Some are starting to play games.”
According to recent media reports, former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, on behalf of a citizens’ platform, wrote to the president, prime minister and the BNP chief requesting a dialogue to resolve the crisis.

The BNP-led alliance has been enforcing a countrywide transport blockade since Jan 5. It has also called shutdowns at frequent intervals, aggravating the situation.

At least 60 people have died in the violence mostly burnt to death in firebombing of vehicles.

Hasina came down hard on the BNP for the violent attacks.

“Killing people like this in covert attacks are not politics. It is terrorism.”

She said that the government will not tolerate people being burnt alive.

“Those who finance, make bombs and lob them are all criminals. Each and everyone have to be nabbed.”

She dismissed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia as someone 'suffering from psychological disorder.'

Gazipur Mayor Mannan Arrested

Police arrest Gazipur Mayor Mannan on charges of torching vehicle

Police have arrested Gazipur City Corporation Mayor MA Mannan in Dhaka on charges of arson.

Gazipur’s Superintendent of Police (SP) Harun Ur Rashid confirmed bdnews24.com of the arrest of Mannan on Wednesday in a case that accuses him of torching a vehicle.

Mannan is a member of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s panel of advisers.

Earlier, the BNP chief’s media wing member Khairul Kabir Khan said Mannan was held from a house at Baridhara DOHS in the afternoon.

PM to visit New Zealand in March

New Zealand was one of the first of countries to recognise Bangladesh in early 1972.

But the relations had never been nurtured. Bangladesh imports milk and milk products from New Zealand, while in recent years New Zealand commissioned the building of a ship by a Bangladesh company.

“We’ll broach new ideas of cooperation during our prime minister’s visit,” the official said. “It’s (the visit) a good chance”.

A senior foreign ministry official told on Sunday that the prime minister had agreed to visit from Mar 11 to 14 following an invitation from her counterpart John Key.

Key invited her to watch the Bangladesh-New Zealand World Cup cricket match on Mar 13 at Hamilton and for a bilateral meet.

New Zealand is hosting the World Cup along with Australia.

“The bilateral talks will be held in Auckland,” the official, who declined to be named, said.

“This will be the first highest level visit between the countries,” he said.


Bangladesh would stress agricultural cooperation and investment, apart from cooperation in the marine aspects.

After settling the maritime dispute with India and Myanmar, Bangladesh is pursuing ocean-based economic diplomacy for extracting marine resources.

Dhaka will also seek cooperation in capacity-building and training.

Since many students go to New Zealand for studies, Dhaka will also seek an increase in the number of Commonwealth scholarships.

The foreign ministry is planning to propose exchanges at the parliamentary, judiciary, and civil service levels since both countries, once British colonies, have similar legal and administration systems.

The bilateral meeting will take place in Auckland as it is close to the venue of the cricket match at Hamilton.

The New Zealand prime minister has an office in Auckland apart from the capital, Wellington.




Source: Bdnews24.com