The New Nation - Internet Edition

JU Correspondent

Naonjuli Khal, the only way of discharging the wastes of about six lakh human and more than three hundred industries of Ashulia area is going to be occupied by the influential quarters of the area.

Few days ago the Khal was 20-40 feet wide but recently it has reduced into 4-5 feet creating resentment among the conscious inhabitants of the area.

The land office sources said the Khal originating from Diakhali flows over Chitrashail, Beron, Noyapara and Gazirchat and falls into the Turag river. It used to carry all kinds of wastes of the area during the rainy season but now it unable to do the same.

According to CS, SA and RS records the Khal was a Khash land but the influential persons of the area successively occupied the land and constructed unplanned buildings particularly after 1991 to present. For this reason, discharge of the wastes is going to be hampered seriously. Abdul Karim Bhuiyan, the former chairman of Yarpur Union Porishad said that as a result of grabbing of the khal, all inhabitants of the area are suffering. He urged the concerned administration to take initiative to preserve the healthy environment.

It is alleged that the S. Suhi Industrial Park, Usha Paltry Ltd. (Paragon Group) as well as other large and small enterprises occupied the Khal in different times, though the Managing Director of the S. Suhi Industrial Park refused the allegation.

Vice President (Economics) of BGEME Sirajul Islam Liton told the reporter, no enterprise occupied the lands but the industries have been established in the area as per the rules and regulations of the Government.

In the mean time M Asaduzzaman Akash, the chairman of Kashful, an environmentalist organization of Ashulia, submitted a written memorandum to the district commissioner on February 11, 2007 demanding recovery of the lands from the occupiers.

According to the memorandum, the Additional District Commissionar (Revenue) Shamima Yasmin visited the area on September 11 and assured that all kinds of initiatives to free the lands would be taken with cooperation from the local people.

The local people fear that if the khal were not recovered from the encroachers, it would bring environmental disaster for the locality.

BSS, Sylhet

Adviser for Textile and Jute Geeti Ara Safiya Chowdhury on Friday called the old cadets to work together to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh.

She was addressing the inaugural function of the 5th Reunion of Old Cadet Association of Sylhet (OCAS) at Sylhet Cadet College here as the chief guest.

The adviser said, the lesson of discipline and punctuality that the cadets learn during their academic life, help them to achieve successes in their practical life.

She appreciated the courage and mental strength of cadets and their support for the cause of people during different disasters. The cadets can play a role to generate positive mentality among people on social issues, she said.

On her arrival at the college compound, old and fresh cadets received her. The adviser took salute of the cadets in a colourful march-past present by the cadets.

Principal of the college M Anwarul Haque, president of OCAS Major (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain and general secretary Mostafa Mamun, addressed among others, on the occasion.

Later, the adviser inaugurated a blood donation programme Marking the reunion.

BSS, Thakurgaon

'Brown Plant Hopper' and 'Leaf roll' pests have attacked many 'aman' paddy fields in different places of the district causing damage to the standing 'aman' crop.

Besides the pests, a fungal disease called 'leaf sheath flight' has also attacked the 'aman' paddy in different places of the district.

Thakurgaon sadar upazila Agriculture officer Md. Belayet Hossain said that 'Brown Plant Hopper' attacked some paddy fields in Baragaon, Balia and Ruhea unions of the sadar upazila.

The Agriculture Department has taken immediate measures and the pest is now under control.

A source of District Agriculture Department said that 'Brown Plant Hopper' and 'Leaf roll' diseases have attacked about 150 hectares of land in Baliadangi Upazila and 850 hectares of 'aman' crop fields have been attacked by the fungal disease 'Leaf sheath flight' in other upazilas of the district.

Deputy Director of Agriculture Extension Zayedul Islam said that the pests and fungal diseases which attacked the 'aman' crops in different places of the district is now under control by the measures taken by the Agriculture Department. He further said that the production of 'aman' would be satisfactory in the current season.

In the current season 'aman' paddy was cultivated on 1,23,000 hectares of land in five upazilas of the district.

BSS, Rangpur

Police arrested a total of 45 persons, including notorious criminals from various places in the district during the past 48 hours ending at 12 noon on Friday.

Police sources said the arrested included notorious inter- district dacoits, criminals, cheats, listed terrorists, absconding murderers, thieves, drug traffickers, extortionists, absconding accused and warrantees.

Police also recovered a huge quantity of phensidyl, locally produced wine, ganja, narcotics substances, lethal weapons and other illegal goods during the raids, the sources said.

Kotwali police arrested two drug traffickers and seized 1.2 kg ganja from their possessions last night, Gangachara police seized four bottles phensidyl in abandoned condition and Pirganj police seized 19 litres wine and arrested one drug trader during the raids.

Police arrested notorious inter-district dacoits Tosir, 39, Raihan, 30, Sadekul, 24, Bulbul, 28, Sadekul Islam, 22, Sadek, 20, Mazed, 25, Mujibur Rahman, 45, Sobuj Uddin, 25, Sujaul Islam, 24, Tofazzal Hossain, 27 and Habibur Rahman, 30, in separated drives conducted at different places throughout the district during the period.

Of them, Kotwali police arrested 15 persons, Gangachara three, Taraganj police three, Badarganj police three, Mithapukur police nine, Pirganj police six, Pirgacha police four and Kawnia police arrested two persons during the period.

The arrested were sent to jail after producing them before different Rangpur courts, the sources said.

BSS, Barisal

The Hindu community celebrated 'Shwashan Dwipabali' on the day of 'Bhot-Chaturdashi' here at Shwashankhola area of the town on Friday.

The historic Shwashan Dwipabali, the famous religious festival of the sub-continent, has been celebrating here for about 182 years since 1825.

The family members lit candles and 'augarbatis' at the tombs of their nearest and dearest ones who were cremated there.

The relatives offered sweets at the foot of the tombs.

Besides, they offered prayers and recited from the Holy Gita seeking divine blessings for the salvation of the departed souls, who had been cremated there, in the Thursday evening.

Relatives from home and abroad including India, America and Britain attended the holy occasion with religious fervour and gaiety.

At least 50,000 people took part in this religious function here on Thursday.

The law enforcing agencies including Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police and plain-clothed law enforcers took security measures around the Shwashan area of over five acres of land. The shwashan area was decorated tastefully on the occasion.

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

The 36th National Co-operative Day 2007 was observed in Gopalganj in a befitting manner on November 3.

The programmes of the day were hoisting of National and Cooperative flags, colourfull rally and discussion meeting.

The National flag was hoisted by Mr. Mahamud Hossain, ADM Gopalganj and Cooperative flag was hoisted by Sikdar Noor Mohammad Dulu, former vice president Gopalganj Central Cooperative Bank at 10 AM at Gopalganj Central Cooperative Bank premises.

A colourful rally was brought out from Gopalganj Central Cooperative Bank premises and paraded through the main roads of the Gopalganj town at 10-15AM on November 3.

A discussion meeting was held at Gopalganj Nazrul Public Library auditorium at 11AM.

It was presided over by Sikdar Noor Mohammad Dulu, former vice President Gopalganj Central Cooperative Bank.

Mohamud Hossain ADM Gopalganj was present as chief guest.

Probir Kumar Roy, ASP Gopalganj and Mohammad Ziaul Hoque Gopalganj District Cooperative Officer were present as special guests respectively. The discussion meeting was addressed, among others, by Saiful Islam, a member of cooperative.

The speakers urged the farmers, small businessmen and cottage industrialists to work unitedly to make the Cooperative System a success.

ICS activists held

GOPALGANJ, Nov 11: Ten activists of local Islami Chhatra Shibir were arrested from Miapara in the district town on Thursday night on charge of holding a meeting violating the Emergency Powers Rules.

The ten arrested were identified as district Shibir president Mohammad Moniruzzaman Alamgir, general secretary Mohammad Solaiman Siddique Badal and seven workers-Mokarram Billah, Enamul Haque Khan, Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Masum Billah, Nazmul Hossain, Syed Ekramul Haque, Mohammad Mamun Khandaker and Sohrab Hossain Sheikh. Police said they raided the Alhaj Rokon Uddin Trust and held the Shibir leaders and workers at about 10:30pm. Ten other Shibir activists also present in the meeting managed to escape the police raid.

Some 100 copies of a Shibir magazine, 'Kishore Kantha' (youth voice), not approved by the government, were also recovered from the scene. A case has been filed in Sadar thana in this connection.

Housewife beaten

to death

DINAJPUR, Nov 11: A young housewife was beaten to death allegedly by her husband and other in-laws at Madhabdi village in Birol upazila Wednesday night. The victim was identified as Karima Begum, 23, mother of a child. Local people said Ejamul Haque, son of Mofiz Uddin, married Karima, daughter of Marfat Ali of the same upazila nearly four years ago. On the fateful night Ejamul picked up a quarrel with her over a trifling matter and at one stage he and his family members beat up Karima mercilessly and poured poison into her mouth. She was later rushed to the Birol Health Complex where the attending doctors declared her dead. Ejamul went into hiding. Police arrested his mother Rejia Khatun and nephew Abdur Razzak in connection with the murder.

Valuables looted

BAGERHAT, Nov 11: Robbers stormed into the house of an expatriate in Basabati area of the district town and looted cash and valuables worth Tk 3 lakh early Tuesday. Local people said the gang numbering 10/12 entered into the house of expatriate Swapan Das late at night and took the female members' hostage at gunpoint. They later beat the inmates mercilessly leaving one Bhanumati seriously injured and decamped with Tk 14,000 in cash, 16 tolas of gold ornaments and other valuables. The injured was admitted to the Sadar hospital.

Housewife violated in Jamalpur

JAMALPUR, Nov 11: A housewife was violated by two miscreants at Jamalpur Rail Station Colony in the town on Wednesday. Police said local infamous drug peddler Sheikh Farid and his accomplice Mobarak Hossain alias Moba entered into the house of the victim in absence of her husband at noon. They forcibly took her to a nearby solitary room and violated her by turns. Hearing her screams local people rescued her and sent her to the district general hospital. Later, the victim filed a case against them under Women and Children Repression Prevention Act with Sadar thana.

Motorcyclist killed

JOYPURHAT, Nov 11: A motorcyclist was killed and his co-rider injured in a tragic accident near Kuchamara Kharir bridge on Joypurhat-Santahar road in Akkelpur upazila Thursday evening. Witnesses said a Joypurhat-bound truck from Santahar hit a motorcycle at about 6pm, leaving motorcycle rider Mozam, 28, and co-rider Milon, 30, critically injured. They were taken to the Upazila Health Complex. Later, Mozam succumbed to his injuries on way to Joypurhat Adhunik Hospital. Police seized the killer truck and arrested its driver Harunur Rashid, 38, and helper Al Amin, 31, from near Tulshiganga bridge in the upazila soon after the accident.