Ekramul's wife worried about family's safety

Slain Awami League leader Ekramul Haque's wife has said she was living in fear. Ayesha Begum told reporters that she was under pressure from different quarters but did not give further details. "I think they are keeping track of who are coming to our house. Some strangers are suspiciously hanging around our house," she said. Teknaf poura councillor Ekramul Haque was killed in what Rab claimed was a gunfight between the elite force and drug dealers in Cox's Bazar on May 27. Ayesha, however, alleged at a press conference at Cox's Bazar Press Club on May 31 that her husband was murdered in cold blood. She gave journalists four unverified audio clips of chilling conversations in support of her claim.

Anti-Narcotics Drive: EU calls for probe into all deaths

The European Union missions in Dhaka have called for a complete investigation into all the deaths related to the ongoing drive against narcotics. "We expect the authorities to ensure that all incidents involving the deaths of alleged criminal suspects are investigated fully and in accordance with due processes," the heads of local EU missions said in a statement on June 4. Drug abuse and illicit trafficking is a global problem, the statement said. "Bangladesh has committed to uphold the rule of law and ensure that all law enforcement actions are carried out in accordance with the law and in adherence to international standards and norms, including with appropriate safeguards over the use of force," the statement read.

President pardons top terror Joseph

Tofayel Ahmed Joseph, one of the top criminals in the police list of the 1990s, has been "secretly" freed from jail after a presidential clemency that cut short his life sentence for murder. Joseph, brother of a former director general of Border Guard Bangladesh, on June 3 left Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was "being treated". "The president pardoned him. We released him upon receiving the order," Jahangir Kabir, senior jail superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj, told reporters. A Dhaka court on April 25, 2004, sentenced Joseph to death for killing Freedom Party leader Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa in 1996. Joseph's elder brothers Haris Ahmed and Anis Ahmed were also given life sentence for the murder. Haris and Anis remain absconding.

Fresh bailout for state banks

The government may again allocate Tk 2,000 crore to state-run banks in the upcoming budget to help them meet capital deficit, continuing its years-long "go easy" attitude towards the lenders despite their irresponsible lending practices. In the current budget, around Tk 2,000 crore was allocated to these banks as part of a recapitalisation plan. However, the amount has not been disbursed yet. Financial analysts believe the situation would have been a lot different if the government had not ignored the recommendations, one of which called for an end to political interference in the banks.

No bar on hoisting foreign flags during World Cup: HC

The High Court has cleared the way for hoisting national flags of foreign nations across the country during the upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament. The HC on June 5 rejected a writ petition that challenged the legality of hoisting national flags of foreign nations across the country at different times, particularly during the FIFA World Cup. Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Shahidul Karim rejected the writ petition filed by Mohammad Nurul Amin, a freedom fighter from Gaibandha,considering that the petition was not properly moved before it.