The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shaikh Abdul Jalil, Bagerhat

Dead body of Nur Hossain Molla of Dona village in Morrelganj upazila was recovered from a paddy field. Still a piece of garment of his dearest one was in his right grip. His wife tried her best to remain alive on that terrific night - if they had to submit to death, both of them would embrace it together. But the devastating SIDR didn't allow them even to meet their end together. Who knew the strong cyclonic hit would have washed his dear wife elsewhere! Her trace could not be known as yet. Nur Hossain could neither save his dearest wife nor himself.

Like Nur Hossain, Sahadat of Rajair village also took shelter in a nearby mosque along with his nearest ones. During the havoc, 4 members of his family embraced each other, but SIDR hit the mosque on the bank of Baleswar and smashed it totally. And then the heavy tidal surge washed them away. It was only Sahadat who survived and sustained grievous wounds on his person. Now Sahadat, half-dead, has been mourning over repeated pounding on his chest.

Ruhul Amin Fakir of Bakultala village pressed his four children Rumi, Mamun, Sumi and Sumaiya against his chest on that dreadful night. But none could be saved from the dreadful end. He only survived to bear the burden of the tragic death of his dear ones. On the other hand, Rehana of Rayenda could luckily trace out two dead bodies while two others remained untraced though nine days have elapsed since then. With a hope of detecting the dead bodies she was making all out searching in the river, tributaries, baors and beels, bushes and fields. Jahangir a teen aged boy sill wondering hither and thither alone.

Mentally handicapped Mohibul Kabiraj of Southkhali village is now passing his days with none to take care of him. SIDR snatched away his mother, sister, brother, nieces and nephew. Mohibul has been passing his days without food. Nine days have passed, innumerable human beings are still in search of their nearest ones of Southkhali, Morrelganj, Rampal including other offshore islands. Huge numbers of dead bodies are still lying scattered about everywhere, floating in the rivers and beels and are spreading stinking smell in the air.

On last Friday, Shimul Ali found 16 dead bodies from a paddy field of village Mathbaria. Nazrul Islam, a college teacher found equal number of dead bodies while he was looking for his nephew's carcass. More 33 rotten dead bodies have been recovered from different places of Morrelganj and Sarankhola area. Up till now 1049 dead bodies have been collected from Bagerhat district. Exact number of missing persons could not be ascertained right now. As per information from responsible persons of Morrelganj and Sarankhola, more than two thousand people died in these two upazilas on that terrific night. 1500 persons are still now missing. According to chairman Esmail Khalifa, 'the number of deaths may be fifteen hundred. Who is there to maintain records of those fate less persons?' Sahidul Islam and Asaduzzaman Babul, president and secretary respectively of the ocean-going fishermen's association informed, near about 1500 to 1600 persons left Rampal and Mongla for fishing in the sea but are still missing; more than two hundred trawlers and boats are untraced.

According to the ex-chairman of Rampal upazila Shaikh Abdul Jalil, 'More than 1500 persons are still missing. Most of them were fishermen. All of them left for fishing in the bay.'

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Muhammad Abdul Majid on Friday assured business leaders of making the taxing departments more taxpayer-friendly.

"NBR formed a committee to help taxpayers paying off income taxes. Besides, an advocacy centre is working round the clock. Our aim now is to make our economy dynamic keeping the revenue flow in a business-friendly atmosphere", he said.

Majid was exchanging views with Rajshahi Chamber and Commerce and Industries (RCCI), officials of VAT (value added tax), customs and national savings directorate at Rajshahi deputy commissioner's conference room.

Rajshahi taxes and VAT commissioner M Enayet Hossain, income tax commissioner M Babul Rabbani, deputy commissioner of the district M Khalilur Rahman and RCCI vice president Mainul Islam, among others, were present.

Pointing to rising pressure on the national budget, he directed the VAT and customs officials to run revenue activities using internal resources.

"We are to lessen the burden of foreign loan through self-dependency", he told calling upon business leaders to cooperate. "Every year, we are to pay about 13.5 percent of the national budget as interests on foreign loans", he said.

He informed, from now on budget proposals would be received directly from business leaders holding analytical discussions from the months of December or January, unlike the previous traditions of holding discussions just before the month of budget. He asked VAT, customs and savings officials to maintain coordination among them.

BSS, Rajshahi

Police, in anti-crime drives, rounded up 38 alleged criminals including a drug-peddler from different areas in city and nine upazilas of the district on Sunday.

Police sources said of the arrested, 22 including the drug- peddler were rounded up from different areas in the metropolis while 16 others from nine Upazilas of the district.

Police picked the drug-peddler identified as Abdul Bari, 35, with 34 bottles of phensidyl during a sudden raid at his resident at Bulanpur area under Rajpara thana in the city.

Traffic police lodged 25 cases under motor vehicles ordinance during drives against the motor vehicles without registration during the period.

BSS, Rangpur adds: Police in separate drives during the past 24 hours ending at 12 noon on Saturday arrested 22 persons, including criminals, from various places in the district, police sources said.

The sources said the arrested included notorious criminals, muggers, listed terrorists, cheats, absconding murderers, thieves, drug traffickers and peddlers, extortionists, absconding accused and warrantees.

The police also recovered good quantity of fertilisers while trafficking, phensidyl, locally produced wine, ganja, narcotics substances and other illegal goods during the raids, the sources said.

Of them, Kotwali Police arrested seven persons, Gangachara one, Taraganj Police two, Badarganj Police two, Mithapukur Police two, Pirganj four, Pirgacha one and Kawnia Police arrested three persons during the period.

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

BSS, Gaibandha

Two day-long fair of hosiery products began at the ground of Kochashahar High School of Gobindaganj Upazila in the district on Saturday for attracting the buyers.

Shibpur Kochashahar Hosiery Network Limited organised it with the assistance of Uddyog, IC-LEAF project.

An inaugural function was held on the occasion. Deputy Commissioner Quazi M. Anwarul Hakim addressed it as chief guest and Shahjada Anowarul Quadir, president of Gaibandha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, M. Hamidur Rahman, Regional Coordinator of IC-LEAF project and M. Zillur Rahman Khandakar, Executive Director of Uddyog were present as special guests.

Presided over by UNO of Gobindaganj Upazila Kabir Al- Asad, it was also addressed among others by Fazlur Rahman, headmaster of Kocha-Shahar High School and Dabir Uddin Sarker, a member of Hosiery Network LTD.

A total of 16 stalls have been set up in the fair. The hosiery products like Sweater Jamper, Cardigan, Socks and muffler are being sold here in reasonable rate.

A large number of people were seen to visit the fair with festive mood.

It may be mentioned here that Kochashahar is well known to all as a Hosiery Industry area in the district as many hosiery industries have been set up here during the last four years.

Production of Jamuna fertiliser factory starts

JAMALPUR, Nov 28: Production of Urea in the Jamuna Urea Fertiliser Factory at Tarakandi under Sarishabari Upazila has been started on Sunday. Sources said the factory was closed for maintenance and overhauling which was completed at a cost of Taka 14 crore. The overhauling of Jamuna Urea Factory began on October 21 last and took 36 days to complete the work. About 28 foreign experts were engaged in the overhauling of the factory, reports BSS.

70 houses gutted

NILPHAMARI, Nov 28: A devastating fire gutted at least 70 houses of 20 families at Pashchim Para of Sonarai union Under Sadar Upazila on Saturday evening. Sources said the fire was originated from an electric short circuit at a house and soon spread to adjacent houses causing destruction of at least 70 houses. The owners of the houses could not save their properties including paddy, money and ornaments, reports BSS.

50 villagers injured in gunfight in Narail

NARAIL, Nov 28: Over 50 people were injured, four of them critically, as two groups of villagers clashed over a land dispute at Batashi village under Lohagara Upazila in the district on Sunday. The villagers, equipped with lethal weapons and firearms, were locked into the bloody gunbattle that continued for two hours, quoting witnesses police said. Critically injured bullet-riddled four villagers Shukkur Mollah, 30, Dulal, 25, Anis, 35, and Rabiul, 45, were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital, reports BSS.

'Open House Day' held

DINAJPUR, Nov 28: The "Open House Day" was held on Sunday amid exchanging views with a cross section of people. Addressing on the occasion as chief guest, Police Super Mustafa Kamal underlined the importance of cooperation between police and common people to identify criminals of society. He further said that the criminal activities should be wiped out aimed at bringing peace in society, reports BSS.

Bogra Chamber donates Tk.10 lakh

BOGRA, Nov 28: President of Bogra District Chamber of Commerce and Industries Alhaj Fazlur Rahman Paikar handed over a cheque of Taka 10 lakh to the GOC of 11th Infantry Division for 'Sidr'cyclone survivors on Sunday. Major General Mohammad Shamim Chowdhury received the cheque from the chamber president. Brigadier General Amadul Haque and other military officers and chamber leaders were present on the occasion, reports BSS.

Free Friday clinic held in Rangpur

RANGPUR, Nov 28: Rangpur Lions Club provided free treatments and medicines to 68 poor patients, including women and children at a free Friday Medical Camp here recently. The Lions Club organised the free clinic as part of its regular weekly programme on its office premises. Club Secretary Arif Hossain Tito, Lion Al Helal and other executives of the club were present, reports BSS.

Fire gutted huge property in Pirganj

RANGPUR, Nov 28: A devastating fire gutted huge property including rice, fertilisers, corrugated iron sheets and other goods at Pirganj Bazar in the district on Sunday afternoon. Police sources said the fire was originated from a market and soon engulfed the surrounding areas and huge properties of a number of shops, godowns and tin- shade rooms were reduced to ashes. Fire Service personnel from Rangpur and other areas rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Investigations were on to find out the sources of the fire, reports BSS.