The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangpur

The second consignment of huge relief materials for the cyclone-affected people was sent by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) from Rangpur on Thursday after collecting those from the local businessmen, organisations and individuals.

Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) collected the relief goods from local industrialists, businessmen, students and people from all walks of life and handed over those to BDR on the temporarily set up Crisis Cell on Rangpur Public Library premises.

The consignment of the donated goods included over 9.5 tonnes of rice, 1,000 pieces saree, warm clothes packed in 13 jute bags, clothes, baby foods worth Taka four lakh, 50 bags salt and other essential items, which were sent to Barishal on Thursday afternoon. Earlier on Monday, a huge quantity relief materials including five tonnes of rice, two tonnes of flattened rice, 400 bags of salt, powdered milk, spices, 1,000 pieces of sari, lungi and warm clothes were sent by BDR to Barishal.

President of RCCI Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu along with other business leaders and elite handed over relief materials worth about Taka 20 lakh so far in two consignments to Acting Rangpur Sector Commander of BDR Lt Colonel Mokbul Kader.

The BDR authorities sent the relief goods by trucks to Barishal and it would continue till the next order of the higher authorities, Lt Colonel Mokbul Kader told BSS.

The RCCI, Rangpur Press Club, different socio-cultural, professional and voluntary organisations have started massive campaigns using loudspeakers to encourage the people to come forward with what they have to stand beside the affected people in the south-western coast lines of the country. The next consignment will be sent on Saturday from Rangpur, officials said.

"We are sending the goods to the central coordination cell in Barishal from where these are being distributed among the distressed people and we appeal to all affluent and kind-hearted people to come forward to stand beside the affected brothers and sisters," Lt Colonel Mokbul told BSS on Thursday.

Major Ahmed Azizul Hakim, Major Maksurul, Major Saad, Senior Vice-President of RCCI Mohammad Jahangir, local industrialists, Haragach pourasabha Chairman Mamunur Rashid, BSS Staff Reporter Mamun Islam and Channel-i Reporter Merina Lovely were present, among others, while handing over the relief materials on Thursday.