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Head lines Voting in 327 union parishads today Nazrul Islam, The Daily Star The Union Parishad (UP) polls begin today amid a mixed sense of fear and fanfare. The build-up to the polls was marked by a disagreement between the government and the Election Commission (EC) on army deployment for security. Voting takes place from 8.00am to 4.00pm straight in 327 UPs on the first day of the two-month countrywide election running until March 16. Union Parishad Polls 2003 (Jan 25-Mar 16)
Voters will elect representatives on a five-year term. The previous UP polls were held in 1997. The UP, the local body tier, is the custodian of rural development. The EC has called upon all concerned to work towards making the polls peaceful.
By contrast, field-level officials of the government came up with an argument that criminals broke cover after pullout of the army. A total of 1,98,704 contenders, who need not have set qualifications to run the race, have entered the fray for 54,964 posts. Of them, 21,376 vie for 4,228 chairman posts, 1,39,909 for 38,052 general member posts and 39,419 candidates for 12,684 member posts reserved for women. The EC has taken security measures with police, the paramilitary BDR and ansars for over 6.15 crore voters, as the government did not agree to deploy army. Fifteen law enforcers, five of them with firearms, will stand guard at each polling station. The BDR will be deployed as striking force and mobile courts will deal with election-related offences on the spot. The EC has banned motorised vehicles on the polling days and declared the voting day a public holiday in the area. It has employed 1,868 returning officers, 39,372 presiding officers, 1,55,749 assistant presiding officers and 3,11,498 polling officers. Besides, the EC has issued accreditation cards to over two lakh poll observers and as many polling agents. Since his first statement at a law-and-order review meeting late last month, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Syed had sought army deployment and repeated his plea at least ten times, but to no avail. The government is bound to comply with his decision as per constitutional provision, the CEC argued. On the other hand, the government has questioned whether the CEC can decide on army deployment. Apart from the EC, opposition political parties, election monitors, field-level election officials and non-governmental organisations demanded deployment of the army at different times. DOWN TO EARTH ASM Nurunnabi, The Daily Star Once a matter of pride for everyone, the beautiful open spaces in Dhaka City are now shrinking frighteningly. For example, the city's Ramna area would be flooded with a riot of colours in summertime when the numerous Krishnachura trees there were in full bloom, so much so that the view from a distance would give the impression of the entire area being on fire. In winter also, the verdant area used to acquire a singular appeal as a mild nip in the air merged with bright sunshine. But with the current craze of urban development sweeping the capital, such open places or rather whatever is left of them now evoke nostalgic memories in old timers. The fewer open spaces in the old city also seemed to meet the needs of the past given the low density of city population at that time. Now the old city's open areas are all but extinct and the handful few that are still holding on to their meagre existence have become the haunts of anti-social elements. In the context of our social structure, outdoor recreational needs of most of us city-dwellers are simple. We usually only long for a breath of fresh air in an open space where our children can play and have some fun. Now in the frenzy of rapid growth in the urban areas, these simple and basic amenities are being eliminated. In the burgeoning city life, the modern concepts of open civic space have assumed supreme importance. These include places where we can feel the earth beneath our feet instead of the cold, hard concrete. Such places help us connect with the mother earth. Today, some of the designated open spaces in the city include the Ramna Park, the Suhrawardy Udyan, the Osmani Udyan and the Sangsad Bhaban Plaza. If we take the case of Ramna Park, we'll see that this once truly beautiful tract of land with sylvan shadows and home to tall green trees is slowly but surely heading towards extinction to make room for the numerous projects by myopic town-planners. Hotel, tennis complex, mosque -- all has chipped spaces away from it. The authorities are reportedly thinking of taking away even more space from the park to accommodate new constructions. This trend of mindless expansion at the cost of the Ramna Park is a very sad aspect of the so-called modernisation that cuts off people from the nature. Apart from the annoying phenomenon of unchecked movements of anti-social elements within the periphery of the Suhrawardy Udyan, some encouraging things are also noticed sometimes inside the Udyan. On weekends and holidays, it has been observed that groups of students, both male and female, sit in wide circles in some areas of the Udyan and practice recitation. Tutorial sessions are also held in some parts of the Udyan. But the once abundant seasonal flowers that bloomed on flowerbeds at a good number of spots in the Udyan even a few years ago are now conspicuous by their absence. In the recent past, there was a great uproar about the reported government move to fell trees at the Osmany Udyan for constructing an International Conference Centre there. A large-scale agitation participated by people from all walks of life was underway protesting the government decision that threatened the environment and ecology of the metropolis. A variety of events and activities in the metropolis have contributed to the evolution of some civic places. For example, the New Bailey Road is also called 'Natak Sarani' by some people as different cultural events including drama that have taken place in this area over the years has transformed this road into a notable civic space. But the recent construction of a 'Natya Mancha' by sacrificing a part of the open space in front of Bangabhaban has not been appreciated even by the cultural groups. The Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) that took the initiative for construction of the centre has been facing criticism for the move. Another category of temporary civic spaces appears during national events. For example, we could mention the Shaheed Minar premises where cultural functions are held regularly, the fairground for the annual Bangla Academy Book Fair and the TSC of Dhaka University where various cultural fairs at different times of the year are held. These civic spaces add new dimensions to our urban culture and social life. In the interest of city-dwellers, it is important to adopt appropriate measures to keep the existing civic spaces of the city free from all encroachments and also to remain vigilant that the atmosphere at these places is not vitiated at any time. In the process of rapid unplanned growth of the city, we have already lost many spots and traces of greenery. But a reversal of the situation is possible as the soil of our country is fertile and plants sprout without having to need much care. Given this natural blessing and with planned and coordinated efforts, we could create a green belt with an abundance of trees and thereby improve our environment. The other ominous trend that besets the city-dwellers is the construction of buildings by filling up the lakes and other water bodies in and around the city. As open ground becomes more and more scarce every day, real estate developers are now eyeing the marshlands and lakes around the city. Thus while multistoried apartment and shopping complexes keep mushrooming, the city's open spaces keep on shrinking. If this trend is not immediately arrested, we will end up with a veritable concrete jungle in the near future. All this is going on in violation of the existing environmental laws which would not have been possible without complicity of the relevant authorities. A process to save the city from an impending environmental disaster needs to be initiated without delay. Dhaka’s concern conveyed to INS Commissioner UNB, Dhaka, The Independent Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Syed Hasan Ahmad met INS Commissioner Michael Garcia in Washington yesterday and conveyed Dhaka’s concern over the US decision on strict immigration procedures for Bangladeshi citizens. The envoy told the Commissioner that the US decision to include Bangladesh on the list of countries subject to "Special Registration" of their citizens sent shock waves through the Bangladeshi community in the US, according to an official announcement here yesterday. Ahmad also told Garcia that Bangladesh, with its credential of a peace-loving democratic country, often cited by the US Administration as a "role model of a moderate Muslim democracy", does not deserve to be on the list of the countries requiring special registration. He stressed that the US immigration officers at the ports of entry enjoy vast discretionary powers, and as such they could be advised to be lenient and considerate so that Bangladeshi registrants are not subjected to harassment if they don’t have any criminal charges against them. "A man should not be penalised because of overstaying beyond visa period," the Ambassador told the Commissioner, adding that those without adequate papers should also be granted an extended amnesty if they have no criminal records. Raising a specific issue before the Commissioner, Ambassador Ahmad said US Immigration cancelled the multiple visa of a Bangladeshi student who had already completed six semesters in undergraduate course in an American University. On his arrival after vacation he was interrogated by the immigration officials from 4pm to 1.30 in the morning and subsequently the INS officials cancelled his five-year student visa without assigning any reasons. INS Commissioner Garcia assured the Bangladesh Ambassador of all cooperation from his office in lessening the pain and anguish associated with special registration requirements by non-immigrant male citizens of Bangladesh in the United States. Dialogue on water sharing to continue Special Correspondent, The Independent Foreign Secretary Shamser M. Chowdhury stressed on continuous dialogue between Bangladesh and India on sharing water of 54 common rivers of the two countries. "Process of dialogue will continue", he said referring to just-concluded meeting of the Joint Committee of Experts (JCE) of Bangladesh and India on sharing waters of Teesta and six other rivers. Responding to a question, the Foreign Secretary said there has been some progress in the JCE meeting and both sides want to continue dialogue to settle the problems over river water sharing. "It takes a long time to reach an agreement on water sharing of a common river since it involves many surveys and technical matters, one or two meetings might not be enough to find a solution", he told a questioner. Replying to a question on reported push-in attempt of some Muslims by India into Bangladesh, the Foreign Secretary said the government has asked the BDR and the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata to ascertain the reports. The matter was also raised with the Indian delegation attending the Bangladesh-India Joint Working Group meeting in Dhaka and they were requested to make an inquiry in this regard. "Such action of push-in is certainly not acceptable to us", he said categorically. He told a questioner that Dhaka-New Delhi relation is normal, though there are differences on some issues between these two neighbouring countries. "Constant dialogue can resolve the differences, we hope process of dialogue will remain", he added. Asked about Bangladesh’s stand on Iraq issue, the Foreign Secretary said, "Our position is clear, we believe war is not the best solution." He said any decision regarding Iraq should be taken under UN umbrella. He appreciated Turkish move to avoid any military action against Iraq. The Foreign Secretary said Dhaka is monitoring the development in the Middle East and possible implications on Bangladesh if war breaks out. "Bangladesh is preparing a plan to evacuate Bangladeshis in case of war", he said adding that except the staff of Bangladesh mission, seven Bangladeshi citizens are now staying in Iraq. Give democracy a strong footing BSS, Dhaka,The Independent Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon the people to consolidate independence and sovereignty of the country and give democracy a strong footing to repay the debts to the martyrs of Liberation War and other democratic movements. In a message on the eve of January 24, the day of mass upsurge in 1969, the Prime Minister said it is a significant day in the political history of Bangladesh. On this day, people of the country raised their voice against the autocratic rule and democracy loving people forged strong resistance against repression, unfairness and injustices of the then Pakistani rulers, she said. Juvenile Motiur had to lay-down his life in firing by the autocrats, she said, adding that in line with the mass upsurge, we have achieved our independence and democratic rights through huge sacrifices. Begum Zia noted that many evil forces are still out to foil the independence and democracy. She said these forces should be resisted with united efforts being imbued with the spirit of 1969. She paid deep homage to the martyrs of mass upsurge of 1969 and subsequent democratic movements and prayed for salvation of the departed souls.
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