Bangladeshi intelligence blasts Zee News

by Special Correspondent
September 24, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1834/bangladeshi-intelligence-blasts-zee-news

LATEST: While National Security Intelligence [NSI] strongly protested to the story of Zee News regarding investment of ULFA leader Paresh Baruah in a number of business projects in Bangladesh, India's state-owned news service, Press Trust of India [PTI] has now released a news item on the same topic titled "Baruah invested millions in Bangladesh cos: report", where PTI claimed that, National Security Intelligence and National Board of Revenue in Bangladesh were already keeping eyes on the invested projects of United Liberation Front of Assam.

The news item was released by PTI on September 25, 2011, where it said:

"Elusive ULFA military chief Paresh Baruah, who is opposed to peace talks with the government, invested millions of US dollars in several Bangladeshi companies having interests in real estate, shipping, textile, power and medical care.

In a classified report, security agencies also said he receives USD 1.5 million every quarter as remittances from these businesses and an additional USD 500,000 every quarter through Western Money changer from other sources.

The report said Baruah invested USD 14 million in three Dhaka-based real estate firms -- Basundhara Real Estate, Eastern Housing Project and Jamuna Group Housing Project -- in the name of one Karujjaman, a London-based businessman.

In Basundhara Real Estate, Baruah invested USD seven million, which is 17 per cent of the company's total share.

While in Eastern Housing Project Baruah invested USD four million, which is nine per cent of the total share, in Jamuna Group Housing Project the ULFA leader invested USD three million, which is two per cent share of the company.

The report was prepared following a three month-long investigation on Baruah's illegal transactions and business activities in Bangladesh.

Sources said the National Security Intelligence (NSI) of Bangladesh and the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh have reportedly kept these companies under their radar and are contemplating action against them.

The NSI has also reportedly brought the issue of Baruah's illegal activities to the notice of the highest level of the Bangladesh government.

Baruah, against whom an Interpol red corner notice is pending, owns 30 per cent share (USD two lakh investment) in Samrita Hospital, 30 per cent share (USD 1.7 million) in Kasem Textile, 30 per cent share (USD 2.5 million) in Chowdhury Shipping and 40 per cent share (USD one lakh) in Dhaka's famous Chinese restaurant Wimfray in the pseudo name of Jumen, a resident of Dubai, the report said.

The ULFA leader also owns 12 per cent shares (Investment of USD two lakh) in Samit Group, a power utility company in the name of Sishir Chowdhury, a Tokyo-based businessman.

Baruah also owns 15 per cent share (USD 1.5 million) in One Group Dilkusha."

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National Security Intelligence [NSI], a Bangladeshi internal security agency, in a very strong statement has refuted the report of Zee News, where the Indian television channel quoted a report from NSI describing investment of United Liberation Front of Assam [ULFA] in various commercial projects in Bangladesh. In a statement released on September 23, 2011 to the local media, NSI termed the news content about ULFA's investment in Bangladesh, as "local and international conspiracy of defaming the image of the country."

It may be mentioned here that, a number of Bangladeshi newspapers and news sites quoted a news content of Zee News, where the later claimed, ULFA has invested US$ 20 million in various business ventures in Bangladesh. In the report, Zee News also claimed to have received a copy of the 'Secret Report' of Bangladeshi intelligence agency, National Security Intelligence [NSI].

Refuting the news, NSI said, "The news is totally baseless and is an attempt of serving the ulterior purpose of any vested interest quarters in Bangladesh."

It said, "When National Security Intelligence is continuing to uphold the national interest of Bangladesh by strengthening the professional skills within the organization, publishing a report by the local newspapers and news sites, quoting an unknown foreign news source, without verification goes against the national interest and is a heinous attempt. The mentioned report [in Zee News] is totally imaginary and is created to serve interest of any vested interest group. Publication of such report, quoting an important intelligence agency of the country, without verifying the content of the news catered by an unknown foreign news source is part of international conspiracy, which can create instability in the country [Bangladesh]."

In the statement National Security Intelligence claimed to have been playing "praiseworthy role" in detecting and eliminating activities of ULFA or any other terror outfits in Bangladesh.

It may be mentioned here that, in the questioned news item of Zee News, names of two particular business conglomerates came as being recipient of ULFA investment, which had year-long business feud with another business conglomerate, which own two of the leading newspapers in Bangladesh. National Security Intelligence is already investigating the source of this "false" report and will be questioning the local correspondent of this Indian television network in Bangladesh. It is initially anticipated that the local correspondent of Zee News might have fabricated the so-called secret report of National Security Intelligence and have sent it to Zee News in India with the ulterior motive of maligning the images of a number of large business enterprises in the country.

Zee News Limited is one of India's foremost media companies with a strong presence in the national and regional news genre.

The company was incorporated as Zee Sports Limited on August 27, 1999 and its name changed to Zee News Limited in May 27, 2004. ZNL got de-merged from Zee Telefilms Limited on March 31st 2006 as per the scheme of arrangement approved by the Hon. Bombay High Court on 17th November 2006. The company became a listed entity on January 10, 2007.

Zee News Limited touches the lives of millions of Indians through a clutch of national and regional news channels. Its mission is to "Engage. Inform. Empower". The specific channels operated by Zee News Limited are Zee News, Zee Business, Zee Punjabi, Zee News UP and Uttarakhand, Zee 24 Gantalu and Zee 24 Taas, the first 24-hour Marathi news channel. 24 Ghanta, a 24 hour Bangla news channel is operated by a subsidiary company known as Zee Akaash News Private Limited.

In terms of news gathering, the company has the largest network of news bureaus and correspondents with a pan India presence. The company is equipped with state of the art technology in content creation, packaging and broadcasting.

Zee News, which is the flagship channel of the company, has the 'Jazba Soch Ka' tag line which shows the focus on hardcore and serious news. The channel's programmes have won several prestigious national and international awards.

Zee News Limited also supplies content to the international broadcasting business of Zee in USA, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. The company has about 1600 employees.

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