The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

The main tourist spots including the 17-kilometer long sea beach with unique opportunity for viewing both sunrise and sunset at Kuakata were cooperatively less affected by the tremendous destructive power of hurricane Sidr of November 15. Journalists recently visiting Kuakata beach after three weeks of the hurricane saw that total beach area and tourist spots have already been cleaned up and prepared to entertain clients during the upcoming tourist and picnic season and Eidul Ajha vacation. Tourists have started reaching there after restoration of road communication.

Different relief teams coming to help the distressed peoples are also enjoying the scenic beauty of Kuakata sea beach. However marks of destruction and damages are still visible in Ashrayan or model village project, LGED rest house, bio gas plant, T&T office, markets and coconut tree belt grown outside the coastal embankment. But the establishments inside the embankment were found more or less safe and sound except trees and thatched houses and shanties. Repair and reconstruction of the damaged establishments were in progress.

Local peoples said saline water from sea entered Majhibari and Jaliakata areas about 5 to 10 kilometers away from Kuakata beach. Mokhlesur Rahman, T&T operator at Kuakata said ten persons killed by tidal bore and crushed under trees and houses, were residents of localities far away from Kuakata shore.

Hasanul Iqbal, a research scholar about sea shores, said that geographical position, route of current, wave and wind, structure of sea beds, emerging underwater shoals and other elements and unique characteristics saved Kuakata sea beach from destruction.

Hasan Abidur Reza, director of A B Graph, a non-government organization engaged in research on the safe sea beaches of the country said that after the hurricane Kuakata again proved as one of the safest sea beaches of the world.

Abdul Barek Molla, chairman of Latachapli union parishad of Kuakata, said that since the independence of Bangladesh only three tourists died in Kuakata sea beach because they did not know how to swim.

There was no example of drowning in quicksand or being washed away by low tide. 'You can enjoy automobile ride on the sands of long sea beach without any fear of danger', he informed.

However in the surrounding areas of the beach huge destruction and damages of more than 75% plantations, houses and other establishments were caused by hurricane Sidr.

'Sidr avoided Kuakata sea beach and the areas inside the embankment', the UP chairman also acknowledged.

JU Correspondent

Speakers at a seminar held at central auditorium of Jahangirnagar University (JU) said investigative journalists can play important role to find out irregularities and corruption and help concerned authorities to remove corruption from the society.

Noted journalist and columnist A B AM Musa in the seminar said, "It is not possible to remove corruption from the country through detaining some politicians. We have to identify the root of corruption and investigative journalist can help in this connection."

The Jahangirnagar University Journalists' Association (JUJA) organised the seminar titled "Investigative journalism to excavate irregularities and corruption" to mark its 37th founding anniversary on 8 December on the campus.

The day function began with a colourful rally from the foot of Amor Ekush at the morning and paraded through the campus. The Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Prof Khandaker Mustahidur Rahman formally inaugurated the rally. JU Treasurer Prof Syed Abdul Hye, JUJA adviser Prof ATM Atikur Rahman, Public Relations Director Mir Abul Kashem along with a large number of former and present members of JUJA participated the rally.

Syed Abdal Ahmad, Chief Reporter of Daily Amar Desh presented keynote paper in the seminar while senior journalist Riajuddin Ahmad, Mohammad Mahfujullah, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Farid Hosain, advocate Joynal Abedin Khan spoke as discussant. JUJA adviser Prof ATM Atikur Rahman moderated the seminar.

In the evening a discussion meeting, reception to the philanthropist and a grand cultural function was held at the JU Muktamoncha. Four philanthropists-- journalist Ataus Samad, National Press Club president Shaukat Mahmud, Sports organiser Khandakar Jamil Uddin, and noted debater Hasan Ahmad Chowdhury Kiron were given reception on the occasion.

Famous singer Subir Nandi, Close-Up stars-- Sonia, Kishor and Sabbir performed at the cultural function. JUJA president Fuad Hossain presided over the function and General Secretary Khairul Hasan Munna conducted the day long various programmes.

BSS, Thakurgaon

Commander of local joint forces Lt. Col. Shahed Kamal said that the joint forces have been helping the concerned departments in distributing fertilisers among the farmers.

He said that fertiliser is an imported item so everybody should be conscious about its distribution so that the farmers can get it regularly to gear up agriculture production.

He was speaking at Thakurgaon Circuit House on Tuesday (December 4) before the journalists, fertiliser dealers and officials of agriculture department. In the meeting Md. Modasser Hossain, a fertiliser dealer said that the dealers have been supplying fertilisers to the farmers whenever they get fertiliser.

Meanwhile, a fertiliser dealer of Akcha Union under Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila Ayub Ali was arrested by the joint forces on Monday for hoarding 64 bags of fertiliser.

The dealer concealed the bags of fertiliser in his godown under the bags of rice brand. Acting on a tip off the joint forces raided the house of Ayub Ali and recovered 64 bags of urea, TSP and MOP fertilisers from his godown.

In this connection a Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Mahbubur Rahman filed a case against Ayub Ali at Thakurgaon Police Station under Special Powers Act.

BSS, Dinajpur

Members of the anti-drug task force in separate drives seized a huge quantity of drugs and arrested three persons in these connections in the district on Sunday.

Sources at District Narcotics Control Department said, the task force comprising narcotics control department, police and BDR conducted a drive at one Faizar Miah's house at Shekhupura under Sadar Upazila and arrested him along with two kg ganja.

In a separate drive at one Sukur Alis's house at Anandsagar Lambapara under Sadar Upazila, the task force arrested Sukur Ali's wife Zamila with 260 bottles of phensidyl on Sunday.

The task force members raided the house of Selim of Rail Line Par area and recovered 160 litres of locally made wine from there.

Narcotics control department handed the arrested persons to Kotwali Police after filing three cases against them.

BSS, Barisal adds: Police seized six kg ganja and arrested 10 persons including Union Parishad members from different areas on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Police sources said, acting on a tip-off, Kotwali Thana Police raided KDC Balurmath area of the city on Tuesday night and seized six kg ganja in abandoned condition.

Besides, police arrested seven alleged criminals from different areas of the city. Most of them have been wanted accused in different cases.

On the other hand, Naval forces detained Union Parishad members named Abdur Rashid of Bapta union, Md. Bashir and Mainuddin of Gangapur Union under Bhola district for grabbing money meant for relief for cyclone-hit people, the source added.

The Union Parishad members were handed over to police after filing cases against them.

Meanwhile, Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two persons from Char Ghorapakhia under Shibganj upazila on Tuesday night and seized 15 kg ganja from their possessions.

The arrested persons were identified as Manik and Shahin, of Bhut Kopra village of Panka Union under the same upazila.

Sources said acting on a tip-off, members of RAB arrested them from Char Ghorapakhia along with the huge quantity of ganja which was smuggled into Bangladesh from India.

The arrested persons and ganja were handed over to Shibganj police station after filing a case against them.

BSS, Manikganj

Three passengers died and 11 others suffered injuries when a bus caught fire after hitting a tree at Muljan under Shibalay thana on Monday afternoon.

Police said the accident occurred when the driver of the Paturia-bound bus from Dhaka lost control over the steering while it was taking a turn. Three charred bodies were recovered from the ill-fated bus after the accident, fire service sources said.

Police said one of the dead was identified as Akther,30,a local resident. But the identity of the other dead victims could not be known.

The injured were admitted to Manikganj Sadar Hospital and one of them was later sent to Dhaka in a critical condition.

From 28th November, MERCY Malaysia (Malaysian Medical Relief Society), in collaboration with Dhaka Community Hospital sent 3 Medical teams to the areas devastated by cyclone SIDR, says a press release.

The affected people in 2 upazilas namely Amtali and Patharghata of Borguna District and Mathbaria Upazila of Pirojpur District were given relief materials and provided with health services and free medicines.

They have treated 3,000 patients and provided healthcare in those 2 districts through the Medical teams. Out of the above 3000, 1500 were Sidr-injured, 700 were children with general ailments and balance 800 were suffering from cold-fever, dysentery and skin diseases.

The Medical teams also conducted some small operations in the fields. Together with health delivery schemes, the Medical teams also supplied 5000 biscuit packets and soaps to the nedy people. The health and relief programme will continue up to 31st Dec 2007.

Villagers loot fertiliser in Sherpur

SHERPUR, Dec 12: Villagers looted 42 sacks of fertilizer from two rickshaw vans at Char Sreepur village in Sadar upazila early morning on Tuesday. Local sources said the villagers intercepted the rickshaw vans, carrying fertilisers allegedly for selling in black market, at about 5:30AM. Being failed to prevent them, the van pullers flee the scene and the villagers took away the fertilisers. However, none claimed the ownership of the fertiliser, reports UNB.

Security guard chopped to death in Dinajpur

DINAJPUR, Dec 12: A supervisor of a security services company was chopped to death by unknown assailants in the district town early Tuesday. The dead was identified as Anisur Rahman, 32, a supervisor of Amin Security Services in Suihari area in the district town. He hailed from Maharajpur village in Sadar Upazila. Police said Anisur came under attack at about 2:30 AM when he was on duty in front of Dinajpur Government Collage. The assailants chopped him severely, leaving him critically injured, reports UNB.

UP chairman arrested in Bhola

BHOLA, Dec 12: Chairman of Purbo Ilisha Union Parishad was arrested from Ilisha area in the district on Monday. Acting on a tip-off, Navy force raided the area and arrested chairman Sirajul Islam alias Siraj, also a BNP leader, in the afternoon. Later, he was handed over to police. Sources said Siraj was wanted in 18 cases, including murder. A case was filed under Emergency Power Rules, reports UNB.

Body recovered

SYLHET, Dec 12: Police recovered the hanging body of a man from a hotel at Station Road in South Surma upazila on Sunday. The dead was identified as Babul, 40, son of Abdur Rahman of Mirpur area in capital Dhaka. Police said Babul checked in Hotel Safina on Saturday. Being failed to get any response from the locked room of Babul on Sunday noon, the hotel manager informed police. Police, later, broke the lock of room 15 and found the body hanging from the ceiling. The body was sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy on Monday, reports UNB.

Teenage boy slaughtered in Sylhet

SYLHET, Dec 12: A teenage body was strangulated to death by some miscreants from Noyagam village in Goainghat Upazila Saturday. The dead was identified as Abbasuddin, 15, son of Asadar Ali of the village. Sources said Abbasuddin went missing since he went to Pikeraj village to give fish to her sister on Saturday. Later his slaughtered body was found in a paddy field of his village. The body was sent to hospital morgue and a case was filed, reports UNB.

101 sacks of fertiliser seized

BRAHMANBARIA, Dec 12: Police and RAB, in a joint raid, a rested 13 staff of three barges along with 101 sacks of fertiliser from a char near Ashuganj Zia Fertiliser Factory on Sunday night. Police said the joint troops held them when they were shifting the fertilisers by an engine-driven boat from three barges, anchored in the char. They also recovered 101 sacks of fertiliser from the boat. The fertilisers were being taken from Ashuganj Zia Fertilizer Factory. The arrested persons are Khelu Miah, Dulal, Al Amin, Mozammel Haque, Alamgir, Zakir Hossain, Jamal Uddin, Sahid, Mostafa, Shukur, Samir Ahmed, Solaiman and Alamgir. A case was filed with the police, reports UNB.