The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Barisal

The country's areas that are identified as high-risk cyclone-prone area (HRCP) needed at least 22,150 new cyclone shelters which work as safe houses for 1,40,80,000 people during cyclones like 'Sidr'.

According to the Cyclone Preparedness Programme Office (CPPO) of Barisal, at least 1.6 crore people live in 13,500 square-kilometre areas in 147 upazilas of 19 districts along Bangladesh's coastlines.

"These areas are identified as high risk cyclone-prone area (HRCP) and they need at least 22,150 safe centres as one protection house can accommodate 800 people on an average", the sources said.

But, at present, there are only 2,400 cyclone shelters in the coast and offshore areas that can accommodate only 19,20,000 people and the rest 1,40,80,000 have to rely on fate.

Of the total, at present 62 cyclone centres can be used in Barisal, 26 in Jhalakathi, 31 in Pirojpur, 161 in Patuakhali, 42 in Barguna, 152 in Bhola, 401 in Cox's Bazaar, 198 in Noakhali, 106 in Feni, seven in Bagerhat, 28 in Satkhira, 497 in Chittagong and 34 in Khulna districts.

The rest 700 centres constructed in 1965 and 1972-1979 are dilapidated and no longer can be used, the sources added. After the recent 'Sidr' alerted on November 10, it was found out that for 1,04,000 people of Monpura Upazila of Bhola district, there are only 28 cyclone centres and two mud-houses which could provide shelter only to 24,000 people.

In Charfession Upazila of this district, there are only 15 cyclone centres and 18 mud-houses for providing 4,15,520 people while 20 cyclone centres in Patharghata upazila of Barguna district for 2,45,000 inhabitants.

BSS, Satkhira

Members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on Thursday night seized a truck loaded with snuggled Indian clothes and held four persons in this connection.

The market value of the seized clothes will be Taka 10.11 lakh.

The arrested are Nazrul Islam (35), of village Kulia under Bebhata Upazila, Fazle Ali (25), of Kamalnagar village under Sadar Upazila, Mostafizur Rahman (42), of Bazargram village under Kaliganj Upazila, and Matiur Rahman (42), of Palashpole area of Satkhira town.

BDR said, acting on a tip off, a patrol team of 41 battalion of Satkhira BDR seized the truck in front of Sangram Medical Hospital.

Then 877 pieces of three-piece (dress), 5,466 pieces of sarees, 5,500 miters long clothe, two mobile phones and other goods were recovered from truck.

BDR said these goods were being transported to Dhaka from the frontier.

A case was filed in this connection and the arrested were handed over to police.

BSS, Rajshahi

Different government and non- government as well as socio-cultural and voluntary organisations on Saturday observed the World AIDS Day here with a call for keeping the society protected from the wrath of HIV/AIDS.

The day's programmes started with a huge rally brought out this morning by Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and Civil Surgeon office in collaboration with NGOs and voluntary organisations working in this field.

Later at a discussion held at the City Bhaban, speakers highlighted significance of the day calling for all precautionary measures against the deadly disease. Civil Surgeon Dr. Golam Mourtoza was in the chair.

It was participated, among others, by RCC Mayor-in- charge Rejaunnabi Dudu, Chief Health Officer Dr. Rizvi Sultan and Senior Health Education Officer Nazrul Islam.

In observance of the day, 'Asakta Punarbasan Sangstha (APAS)' held a discussion with its Chairman Mominul Islam in the chair. APAS Executive Director Abul Bashar addressed the discussion, among others.

'Nishkrity, a healthcare related development organisation, also arranged a discussion with its Executive Director SKL Muhammad Lalon in the chair.

BSS, Narail

Preparatory meeting for holding week-long 'Sultan Mela' was held in the conference room of deputy commissioner on Wednesday on the occasion of 83rd birth anniversary of eminent artist SM Sultan.

The meeting has taken decision to celebrate the Sultan Mela' through elaborate programmes. The fair will begin on January 25,2008.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) Mohammad Jahanjir Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) Mohammad Mashiur Rahman, Member Secretary of Sultan Foundation Munshi Hafizur Rahman, General Secretary of District Shilpakala Academy Anwar Hossain Khan, General Secretary of Narail Press Club Enamul Kabir Tuku, among others, were present at the meeting.

Our Corespondent, Bauphal

Last Friday Bauphal Press Club & Students' Unity of Bauphal (SUB) at Dhaka jointly distributed relief among 300 Cyclone SIDR affected families including 36 families who were killed by the 15th November 2007 SIDR. The Editor of Bangladesh Observer Iqbal Shobhan Chowdhury, Join Secretary Molla Jalal, Senior Vice- President Syed Akter Usuf, Treasurer Faraji Ajmal Hosen, Member Md. Inamul Houque of Bangladesh Federal Journalists' Union, Prof. Aminul Islam President, Lecturer Md. Ariful Islam (New Nation) Social Welfare Secretary of Bauphal Press Club, Kamrul Hassan of SUB were present on the relief programme.They distributed rice, dal, medicine & warm cloths among the affected people. After the relief programme Mr. Iqbal said that people from all walks of life should come forward to help and rehabilitate the shelterless people.

BSS, Chapainawabganj

Distribution of National Identity cards started in Chapainawabganj Municipality area after completion of the voter list with photographs on Saturday afternoon.

The inaugural function was held at the Municipality Park with the chairman of Chapainawabganj Municipality Ataur Rahman in the chair.

The function was addressed by Deputy Commissioner of Chapainawabganj Md. Shahadat Hossain, Major Monirul Islam Bhuiyan, acting Police Super Sajjadur Rahman and district election officer Sarker Ashraful Alam. After the discussion National ID cards were distributed among some of the voters of the Municipal area.

BSS, Jessore

Police arrested three women with huge quantity of smuggled goods from a passenger bus in Bugachra area on Jessore-Satkhira Highway of the district on Friday.

Police said the arrested women are Salma Khatun, 26, daughter of late Sobed Ali of Choughoria village Amena Begum, 40 wife of late Abdus Sattar of Roghunathpur village and Rahima Begum, 40, wife of late Babul of Gopinathpur village under Satkhira district.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team halted the bus and searched it. They recovered the smuggled goods from their possession and arrested them.

A case was filed with Sharsha Police Station in this connection.

BSS, Mymensingh

A school student was killed by miscreants at Noumahal area here this afternoon.

The victim was identified as Real, 15, son of Lal Miah of Chamragudam in the town and also a student of Nasirabad High School.

Police said a group of miscreants stabbed Real when he was going to Noumahal this afternoon. He was critically injured in the attack.

Local people rushed him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

BSS, Netrakona

Netrakona Sadar Police recovered 12 bags of urea fertiliser sold in black market from Parla area on Netrakona-Mymensingh Highway on Friday.

Police also seized a tempo which carried the bags from the area.

Police suspect that the fertiliser carrier tempo was proceeding towards the Mymensingh or another place from Netrakona town. But the tempo was skidded off the road in the Parla area and fell into a road-side place as its driver lost control over the steering.

Being informed, a team of police from Netrakona Sadar Thana rushed to the spot and recovered the 12 bags of urea fertiliser covered by the big-size gunny bags from inside the vehicle.

However, police could not capture the tempo-driver as he managed to flee from the scene soon after the accident, the police sources said adding that police has started inquiry to identify the persons who sold the fertiliser in the black markets.