Tempted and threatened, Maimuna joins the gang

A school dropout teen-age girl, tempted by assurance of Tk 100 daily allowance and Tk 5,000 monthly pay, joined a gang of young robbers in the district about a month ago.

The girl, Maimuna Akhter Shilpi, was also threatened with death if she did not join the group.

She said this in her statement under Section 164 to Chandpur Magistrate Md Aminul Islam on February 17.

Maimuna, daughter of Serajul Haque of Raisree village under Shahrasti upazila, told police and magistrate that she stopped going to school when she was a student of class four and she is now 18 years old.

She, however, seemed younger.

“About one month ago, Rubel, Sagar, Anwar, Zakir and Muksed told me to accompany them to rob a house. They said my job would be to knock on the door, address the women of the house as maa [mother], khala [aunty] etc and persuade them to open the door.

“I would secretly go with the gang at night. I took shelter at the targeted house, presenting myself as a helpless girl. I would open the door for the gang members at a suitable time.

“On the first day, five of the gang accompanied by seven to eight unknown robbers who came by hired CNG auto-rickshaws committed robbery at the house of Shafiullah at Chandipur village. On the same night they also robbed two houses at Raisree village,” she said.

On February 4, they went to rob the house of father-in-law of an OC at Panchbasti village in Barura.

As the inmates cried for help, people caught Maimuna while other robbers managed to flee, she said. She was handed over to Barura police who shifted her to Shahrasti Police Station.

Chandpur Superintendent of Police Krishnapada Roy said Maimuna was made accused in the case filed for January 13 robbery incident at the house of Abdul Karim Patwari in Shahrasti upazila.

She was taken on a three-day remand while the other accused in the case are still on the run.

Nation pays homage to ’52 language martyrs

Nation celebrates international mother language day today in commemoration of martyrs of language movement this day on February 21 in 1952. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shafiur, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil laid down their lives on this day with a view to establishing Bangla as one of the state languages of the then Pakistan.

As the clock struck one minute past zero hours, President Advocate Zillur Rahman placed a floral wreath at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar as tribute to the gallant Bangalees who laid down their lives 57 years ago to uphold the honour of Bangla language. Thereafter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with her cabinet members paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs. Meanwhile thousands of people from all walks of life had already started collecting at the Shaheed Minar premises since evening of 20 February to pay their respects to the martyrs of '52.

Stringent security has been taken at the Central Shaheed Minar as 7000 police and 750 RAB members have been deployed there. DMP Commissioner Naim Ahmed said police will cordon Shaheed Minar premises, they are assigned to maintain security in two phases from 7 pm to 5am and 5am to 2pm today.

Describing security measures, he said "There will be barricades at 23 places around Shaheed Minar, six archways for public entrance and 28 CCTV cameras for watching the area and metal dictators for identifying explosives. Forces will take position on the roof of high-rise buildings while plainclothes policemen will be vigilant."

On November 17, 1999, the UNESCO declared February 21 as the International Mother Language Day. Countries across the globe have since been observing the day to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education and raise awareness of cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

President Advocate Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued special statements on this day. Different political and cultural organizations chalked out programmes to observe 21 February.

25th anniversary of short and alternative film movement

Four-day film screening begins at Public Library

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of short and alternative film movement in Bangladesh, a four-day screening titled "Short and Alternative Film Festival" was inaugurated at Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library on February 18. The festival, arranged by Chalachchitram Film Society, also marks the 25th anniversary of two pioneering Bangladeshi short films -- Morshedul Islam's "Agami" and Tanvir Mokammel's "Hulia."

Short films made in the initial stages of the movement as well as contemporary acclaimed feature films are being screened at the festival.

A.T.M. Fazlul Karim, secretary, Ministry of Information, inaugurated the festival. Among others, Rasheda K Chowdhury, adviser to the last Caretaker Government; Morshedul Islam and Dr. Ashekur Rahman Khan, executive president and president of Chalachchitram respectively, spoke at the inaugural ceremony. Later "Agami" and "Hulia" were screened.

At the programme, Chalachchitram honoured noted filmmakers Tareque Masud and Tanvir Mokammel, two frontrunners in the arena of short and alternative film movement, for their contribution. Filmmakers -- representing the successive generation of the short and alternative film movement -- Mostafa Sarwar Farooki and Amitav Reza handed over crests to the seasoned auteurs.

Throughout four days, 19 short and full-length films by reputed and promising filmmakers will be screened. The list includes "Antarjatra," "Muktir Gaan," "Nodir Naam Modhumati," "Tajuddin Ahmed: An Unsung Hero," "Biswaraner Nodi," "Swapnodanay," "Chaka," and "Ekatturer Jishu."

Today six films -- "Iti Salma," "Rupantar," "Aparajita," "Chaka," "Bikal" and "Swapnodanay" -- will be screened from 3pm onwards.