The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

There were rumours about leakage of English question paper of honours second year examination under the National University. Examinees and teachers sources said, copies of question papers were widely circulated 36 hours before the schedule of the examination.

Source said, the question was first collected from one Zakir Hossain, a lecturer of English of Charshadhukati Madrasha under Babuganj upazila and engaged in private tuitions at 'Apon Nibas', his residence at Boiddayapara area of Barisal city. Later it was also collected from examinees of Dhaka and distributed through mobile phones and several photostat shops of the city.

Prof. Sirajuddin Ahmed, principal of Govt. B M College and secretary of Barisal examination centers said, the examination was held at the government college centres including B M College. Barisal College and Women's College of the city and more than four thousand second year honours students appeared at the exam. We have heard about the leakage and requested National University authority and law enforcing agencies to investigate the matter, he added.

On the other hand, Zakir Hossain denied any involvement with leaking out question paper and, without mentioning any name, said that some of the students came to him for solution of the suggestions and during the examination it was found that 12 questions were similar with those solved earlier.

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Md. Azim, known as Phensi Azim, the gang leader of drug trafficking in Barisal city and his associate Md. Iqbal, have been taken on three days' remand from Tuesday for interrogation.

Police and related sources said Phensi Azim, 38, came to Barisal from Patharghata of Barguna district in search of luck and settled in Barisal city in 1994. He amassed crores of taka in cash and kinds by smuggling Sharis and clothes first and then Phensidyl and other drugs from India.

He was able to come out of jail at different times by managing political leaders, law enforcing agencies and even social elites regularly giving huge amounts of bribe.

The detective branch of police again arrested him Sunday night from Mamataz Manzil, the residence of his associate Iqbal Munshi. Police recovered 210 bottles of Phensidyl, cash money and motorcycle from that house. After primary interrogation police produced them before the court praying for seven days' remand on Monday night.

Mainuddin Islam, Chief Metropolitan magistrate of Barisal, sanctioned three days' remand against Phensi Azim and Iqbal.

Police also raided the multistoried luxurious house of Phensi Azim at Bhatikhana Road of the city. Police found the house equipped with security systems including close circuit cameras. They also found proofs of drug transactions, a special room marked with 'restricted area: no entry' for pleasure and entertainment of the drug peddlers, different hiding points for storing Phensidyl and drugs, huge quantities of contraband items and commodities.

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Two trial courts in Barisal and Jhalakati sentenced two accused persons to life imprisonment in two separate cases of murder and sexually abusing a girl.

Court sources said, a rickshaw puller named Md. Hanif was chopped to death at Nazirerpole area of the city in broad day light at about 9 a.m. November 17, 2004 when Hanif protested drug peddling by Sarwar Hossain Saro and Kalu, two notorious drug peddlers of the city.

Mozaharuddin Howladar, father of the victim, lodged a case against Saro and Kalu with Barisal Kotwali police station on the same day.

Sub-inspector Sheikh Nasiruddin submitted the charge sheet against Saro, Kalu and their associate Sirajul Huq on September 12, 2005.

After examining 16 witnesses and other evidences Md. Shahidullah, district and session judge of Barisal announced the verdict of this murder case Monday evening in presence of the accused. Saro was sentenced to life imprisonment with payment of Tk.25 thousand or to serve more two years in jail. Kalu, Sirajul and two other accused were acquitted from charges.

In another case, a trial court in Jhalakati district sentenced Al-Amin Howladar of Manpasha under Nalchhity upazila of Jhalakati district for life with Tk.5 thousand as fine or to serve one year more in jail

Prosecution stories said that Al-Amin, developing love affairs with Putul Begum of neighboring Noikati village and alluring her to marry, took her to Dhaka on April 08, 2005 and lived together and made physical relationship with her.

After Putul conceived, Al-Amin denied to marry and forcibly sent her back to her father's house on June 01, 2005.

Putul lodged a case of cheating and sexual abuse against Al-Amin and his father Akbor Ali on the same day. After investigation, police submitted charge sheet against the accused.

After examining 8 witnesses, Anwarul Huq, judge of the tribunal for prevention of torture against women and children in Jhalakati, handed down the verdict Sunday afternoon in presence of the accused. The court acquitted Akbor Ali from charge.

BSS, Bandarban

Members of Nasaka, border security force of Myanmar abducted five Bangladeshi nationals from bordering Ghumdhum under Naikkhongchhari Upazila on Tuesday.

The abducted persons were identified as Ataur Rahman, Mofizuddin, Mohammad Ashu Ali, Rafique Uddin and Lutfar Rahman.

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) sources said they were abducted by Nasaka personnel near Pillar No 38/39 of Bangladesh-Myanmar border while they were collecting wood.

The BDR has taken necessary steps to bring back the Bangladeshi nationals through holding a flag meeting with the Nasaka. Local people alleged that a total of 100 woodcutters in different border areas under Naikkhongchhari Upazila were detained by the Nasaka.

JU Correspondent

The admission tests for first year honours courses under the academic session 2007-08 in Jahangirnagar University (JU) began on Thursday.

The authorities enrolled about 1300 students in 26 departments under four faculties of the university. A total of 54 students will view for each seat.

The admission tests for physics, statistics and chemistry under ka unit was held on the first of day the tests. One hour long written test was held in five shifts from 9.00AM to 5.00 PM every day. The admission test of Mathematics, Environment Science, Computer Science and Engineering and Zoolong under the same unit will be held on 17 November.

The admission tests for Gha unit will be held from 18 to 20 November while for ka unit from 20 to 24 November. The tests for Ga unit will be held from 25 to 27 November.

A total of 15600 students have applied against 34 seats of Public Administration Department where 458 students will view for each seat.

All the classes and examinations of the university remain suspended during the admission tests.

BSS, Gaibandha

The reconstruction work of 65 metres of Gaibandha-Balashighat road at Pulbandi point under Sadar upazila is progressing fast under the supervision of the members of army.

Road and Highways Department (RHD) has been implementing the project at the cost of Tk 12.50 lakh.

Local army camp in-charge Major Mizan visited the area on Wednesday and enquired about the progress of the work. Sub-Divisional Engineer of RHD M Abdus Salam and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Sources said 40 percent work of the project has already been completed and rest of the work will be completed by the first week of the next month. This part of the road had washed away in the recent flood and road communications between Gaibandha and Balashighat was snapped.

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

The Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has distributed relief goods among the flood-hit families under Kasiani upazila, Gopalganj Sadar upazila and Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj district.

The relief goods included rice potato, onion and pulse.

The Islami Bank Bangladesh limited has distributed 3750 kgs of rice, 2250 kgs of potato, 750 kgs of onion and 375kgs of pulse among the 750 families of flood hit area of the Kasiani upazila, Muksudpur upazila and Gopalganj Sadar upazila per family has gotten 5 kgs of rice, 3kgs of potato, one Kg onion and 500 grams of pulse.

The relief good distributing function of the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited was inaugurated by Abu Taher Mohammad Shaleh, executive vice president Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited as chief guest respectively Mohammad AL Amin principal officer Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited Mohammad Zahangir Alam, Manager and Mohammad Hassan Iqbal, 2nd officer Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited Gopalganj branch were also present at the relief goods distributives ceremony.

Cattle trader shot dead

SATKHIRA, Nov 16: A Bangladeshi cattle trader was shot dead by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in India's Tetulbari border opposite to Rudrapur frontier in Sharsha Upazila of Jessore on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Abdur Rashid, 38, son of late Farman Ali of Kadpur village in Kolaroa Upazila of Satkhira. BDR sources said BSF troops opened fire on Rashid near the main pillar at about 4AM, killing him on the spot when he was returning home along with cows from India. Major Qamrul Hasan of BDR-41 battalion confirmed the incident and sent a letter to the BSF to return the body, reports UNB.

3 killed in road mishap

NATORE, Nov 16: Three people, including two potato traders, were killed and nine others were injured in a tragic road accident on Natore-Bogra highway in Dalsarak area of Sadar Upazila early on Wednesday. The two potato traders were identified as Abdul Matin, 42, of Pirganj upazila in Rangpur and Abed Hossain, 35, of Barobaria village in Lalmonirhat district. The identity of another deceased could not be ascertained immediately. Police and witnesses said the accident occurred at about 5AM when a Kushtia bound potato-laden truck from Rangpur with 12 people on board plunged into a road side ditch as its driver lost control over the steering, killing the two potato traders on the spot and injuring 10 people. The injured were rushed to the Natore Modern Hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries, reports UNB.

Extortionists sentenced to jail

SHERPUR, Nov 16: Four people were sentenced to 13 years rigorous imprisonment each by a court here on Tuesday in an extortion case. The convicts are Yunus Ali, member of Talki Union Parishad under Nakla Upazila, his brother former UP member Montaj Ali, Sabuj Mia and his brother Abdul Motaleb of the same Union. According to the prosecution, the convicts snatched Tk 12,000 from Shah Alam, 50, of the Union, on his way home on July 22, 2003. They also later under death threat demanded Tk 50,000 more from him. A case was filed with Nakla Thana on April 25, this year against 13 people. Later, police submitted charge sheet against 10 people on July 8 reports UNB.

SI held far taking bribe

BRAHMANBARIA, Nov 16: A Sub-Inspector (SI) of Salimganj Police outpost under Nabinagar upazila was arrested by joint forces while taking bribe on Tuesday. The arrested was identified as SI Aminur Rasul, in-charge of the outpost. Sources said a team of joint forces caught red-handed Aminur while he was taking Tk 4,000 as bribe from one Nil Mia of Nurjahanpur village to help recover his land from an influential occupier. A case was filed in this connection, reports UNB.

Two minor boys drown in B'baria

BRAHMANBARIA, Nov 16: Two minor boys drowned in a pond at Purpur village in Akhaura upazila on Tuesday noon. The deceased were identified as Jubayer, 6, son of Babar Mollah and Apu, 5, son of Sayed Mollah of the village. Local people said the two minor boys while playing on the stairs of the pond of a local mosque suddenly Jubayer slipped into it and when Apu jumped to save him both of them met watery grave. Later, local people recovered their bodies, reports UNB.