The New Nation - Internet Edition

Massive sweet water fish production expected in greater Rangpur

BSS, Rangpur

Over 350 tonnes additional production of sweet water fish is expected this year in greater Rangpur following massive steps taken last year by the government and the Armed Forces to drastically cut poverty through fish-farming. An integrated fish farming project titled "Ensuring Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Poverty-prone Greater Rangpur" of the government at a cost of about Taka 12 crore and initiatives of the Armed Forces contributed a lot to the directions, officials said on Saturday.

The Department of Fisheries (DF) in collaboration with NGOs has been implementing the project for ensuring food security and poverty alleviation through fish farming and creating jobs for the hardcore poor and unemployed youths in the Monga-prone greater Rangpur.

Experts of the Parbotipur Sweetwater Fish Farming Sub-Centre with the assistances of DF and Bangladesh Fish Research Institute conducted last year integrated training courses for unemployed youths and farmers to increase fish production by providing the farmers the latest technologies.

Fish farming got momentum following huge motivational activities conducted by the concerned departments and Army during the Fish Fortnight for preserving indigenous species of fish and boosting production of all varieties of fish in the prospective area, officials said.

Besides, the initiatives, including providing financial supports and fish fries to the farmers, taken by the Armed Forces for cultivating fish in the 95-kilometre long huge canal of the Teesta Barrage Project (TBP), have ushered in new era in the pisciculture sector.

DF officials said, the 3-year project was launched last year to boost the pisciculture sector through increased farming of all variety fishes in the available water bodies, crop fields and floodplains in these five Monga- prone districts.

Renovation, re-excavation, digging, construction of necessary infrastructures and other works of hundreds of abandoned, derelict and hyacinth water bodies including ponds, beels, haors, dried up river beds at suitable places and raising of embankments are still continuing.

Most of the water bodies and huge canals of the TBP have been handed over after completion of the massive development works, to the targeted groups, societies and fishermen community people for achieving targeted success in the sector, officials said.

The farmers, fishermen, unemployed youths and poorer people have been provided with adequate training and necessary inputs to help them in operating a comprehensive and integrated pisciculture activity under a sustainable and proper management system under the project.

They were also educated on the latest technologies for pisciculture for properly releasing fish fry and fingerlings into the water bodies and nurturing them through systematic feeding and their harvest, transportation and marketing system.

Warm clothes distributed in Kurigram

Our Correspondent, Kurigram

Joint Forces, district administration jointly distributed warm clothes among the distressed people on Monday last at the border area under Vurungamari Upazila Sonahat border in Kurigram disrict. Joint Forces of Kurigram district allocated 275 pieces of blankets as for warm clothes for clold hit poor people on the day. On the other hand district administration allocated 100 pieces of blankets for the distressed people at Sonahat UP premises on Monday last.

Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram district (DC) A.R Molla Commanding Officer (CO) of 27, Rifle Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Sumon Kumar Barua and Deputy Commander of JF Major Mahfuz were present at that time.

Next, the guests with the journalists of printing and electronic media visited the many discussed port Vurungamari Sonahat under Kurigram district on the day. It may be mentioned here that recently, Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, other many advisors and assistants to chief advisor held a meeting in Rangpur. They discussed about Sonahat Port of Vurungamari at that meeting.

IU student makes robot

Ashraful Alam Shimul, a Master's student of the Department of Applied Physics, Electronics & Communication Engineering of Islamic University made this office file carrier Robot. He used locally collected simple and cheap electrical and mechanical parts to make it. He claimed that this Robot can bear various official files or letters from one place to another successfully. It will even be able to bear heavy tools if the technology is improved, he also said. As part of M.Sc thesis work he got the success under the supervision of the department teacher Khalilur Rahaman. He also got assitance from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET) students Morshed, Siam and Palash, says a press release.

Shimul, about his Robot, says that it is needed initially to make a visible line on the floor, which is deeper in color than other parts of the floor. The Robot moves one place to another successfully following this particular line. He says, structurally, the Robot has two major part electrical part and mechanical part. The electrical part includes four units: Censor unit which works as eye of the Robot, controller unit or the brain of the Robot made of a micro-processor which controls all other units, calling unit which is made of a voice type calling bell and which calls some one to give or take files or letters and power supply unit which supplies power to the Robot.

In the Mechanical part units include DC Motor which provides necessary force to the wheels of the Robot, Gear box which controls excess power taken from the DC motor and Main body of the Robot which is made of smooth and transparent crystal sheet which includes structure and file box of the Robot.

The inventor of the office file carrier Robot, Shimul claimed that the mechanical response of the Robot is very much effective though it has been built without following the modern technology of Robot building.

Open House Day observed in Chuadanga

Our Correspondent, Chuadanga

Open House Day was observed in Jebon-nagar Thana of the Chuadanga district recently, with a vow to establish a drug, terrorism and corruption free society.

A function was held in this connection at the Thana Complex where people from all walks of life attended to exchange their views.

Jhahangir Alam, SI, Jebonnagar Thana presided over the function. Nearly one hundred people including Community Policing Committee members, Pourashava Chairman and Ward Commissions, UP Chairman, local elite, Journalists and teachers attended the programme.

3 of a family electrocuted in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Mother and two sons died of electrocution on Thursday evening from electrified fencing created to protect paddy from rats at Satla of Uzirpur Upazila. The victims were identified as Mogli Begum, 71, Khalil, 53, and Alamgir Howladar, 35, her sons.

Abdul Malek, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Mahbubur Rahman, officer in charge of Uzirpur police station said the family constructed electrified fencing surrounding the crop field to save paddy from rats.

On that evening without disconnecting electricity supply at first Khalil went to the field and electrified and then his mother Mongli Begum and brother Alamgir rushed to save him and electrocuted.

Joynul Abedin, neighbour who also tried to save the victims also severely injured and treated in local clinic.

Rich tributes paid to poet Mahbub

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Speakers at a eminiscence on Friday said that language veteranand freedom fighter Mahbub-ul-Alam Chowdhury had been a source of inspiration against the movements of inhumanity, communalism and imperialism.

They recalled the great roles of Mahbub-Ul-Alam Chowdhury, author of the first poem on language movement, at the auditorium of Chittagong Academy.

Raozan Student Association organized the function where journalists and cultural luminaries of the port city joined it. Deputy Editor of The Daily People's View Nasiruddin Chowdhury presided over the meeting.

Editor of The Daily Chattagram Moncha Sayed Omar Faruk, Assisant Editor of The Daily Azadi Siddique Ahmed, Chief Reporter of The Daily Suprabat M Nasirul Hoq, Manager of Beximco Mohsin Chowdhury and columnist Sattyabrata Barna addressed the reminiscence.

Omar Faruq said that Mahbub-Ul-Alam Chowdhury was moved much by the uncompromising personality of the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. He was also rebellious - against social odds, exploitation, communalism and imperialism.

Assistant Editor of the Daily Azadi Siddique Ahmed focused on the messages of his poems that included secularism, struggling humanity and love while Nasirul Hoq recalled the contribution of the great man in nation building.

"Advocate Mili Chowdhury, Faruq Taher, Mohsin Chowdhury, Tasrin Chowdhury and Aiouz Rahman recited poems on the occasion.

Ansar-VDP rally held in Debiganj

BSS, Debiganj

Ansar and Village Defense Police (VDP) organised a day-long rally at Debiganj Upazila Parishad auditorium in Panchagarh district on Thursday.

Members of Ansar and VDP including female members from all Union Parishads under Debiganj Upazila joined the rally.

Chaired by Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiul Islam, the rally was attended by Debiganj UNO AKM Aminur Rahman as the chief guest.

District Circle adjutant of Ansar and VDP Bazlul Alam, Upazila Ansar-VDP Officer Kamrul Islam Chowdhury and trainer Sazzad Hossain Labu were present as the special guests.

Speakers in the rally urged the members of the Ansar and VDP for accelerating development activities in rural areas to eradicate poverty.

Alleged robber lynched in Mymensingh

BSS, Mymensingh

A mob lynched an alleged robber at Golabaria under Gafargaon Upazila in the district in the early hours of today.

Police said local people caught an unidentified robber, aged about 32, when he was leaving with his accomplices after committing a dacoity in the house of Hedayet Ullah. The people beat him mercilessly, killing him on the spot.

The dacoits looted cash and ornament worth about Taka 2.5 lakh, according to the members of Hedayet's family.

Hedayet, his brother Babul Miah and two other inmates of the house were injured in the dacoits' attack.

Critically injured Hedayet was admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital and Babul to Gafargaon Upazila Health Complex.

VoIP devices seized in Ctg

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) in a predawn raid at a house at Goshaildanga area recovered huge quantity of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) devices.

The CMP men, however, could not manage to nab any culprits involved with the illegal business till the time of filing this report.

The CMP sources said that acting on tip-off, a team of Double Mooring police station led by Assistant Commissioner Mohammed Iltutmis raided a house of Haji Zahur Ahmed at about 2:00 AM and recovered the VoIP equipments from a room of fourth floor of the building.

The equipments included ten GSM, 48 Tellulars, two IPS, one Modem, One UPS, one Telephone set, eight Multiplugs and four Batteries. The estimated price of the VoIP equipments is Taka 12 hundred thousands.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Double Mooring police station Mohammed Abdul Latif told the Daily People's view that an organised group had been conducting the VoIP business over the area renting the fourth floor of the building.

Importance of moral education for development underscored

JU Correspondent

Speakers at a seminar held at philosophy department of Jahangirnagar University said that moral education is very important to ensure justice in the society and urged to the government to formulate 'National Ethics Statement Act' in Parliament.

The philosophy department arranged the seminar on "moral education and our thinking" with a view to creating awareness among the people about the importance of morality.

Prof Anu Mohammad, noted economist said in his speech that it is very important to build moral knowledge in every step of education to increase experiment in human and environment related researches and to remove common crisis of moralities from different occupations.

He also said it is easy to establish peace in the society through the implementation of equality and justice.

Prof Forid Ahmed, Mohammad Tarek Chowdhury, Monjur Elahi, Anowarullah Bhuiyan, Altaf Hossen, Johir Raihan were present with Prof Fahmida Ahmed in the chair.

Bumper mustard production expected in Barisal

BSS, Barisal

Farmers are expecting bumper mustardd production in 11 southern districts under Barisal Agriculture Extension Zone during this season as the climatic condition is very favourable this year.

Official sources said a total of 38,754 hectares of land were brought under mustard cultivation in the southern districts this season.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) expects that mustard will be produced at an estimated rate of 1.03 metric tons per hectares.

DAE, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), commercial banks and some leading NGOs have been assisting the farmers by providing necessary inputs for ensuring a good yield, the source added.

Of the total, 2,035 hectares were cultivated in Barisal district, 708 hectares in Jhalakathi, 71 hectares in Pirojpur, 100 hectares in Patuakhali, 68 hectares in Barguna, 1,195 hectares in Bhola, 11,077 hectares in Faridpur, 7,766 hectares in Madaripur, 4,338 hectares in Gopalgonj, 3,450 hectares in Rajbari and 7,950 hectares in Shariatpur districts.

Massive programmes to cultivate Boro paddy taken in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

The government has taken up a massive programme to cultivate Boro paddy in the district during the current season.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said the government took a plan to plant Boro paddy on 1,06,440 hectares in the district at the initial stage.

Later, additional 6,205 hectares of uncultivated land have been brought under the programme with a production target of 20,090 metric tons to recover the losses caused by floods in last year.

Now target has been fixed to cultivate Boro paddy on 1,12,645 hectares in 7 upazilas of the district to produce 4,59,049 metric tons of rice, the DAE sources said.

Out of the total land 75,345 hectares have been brought under high yielding variety, 35,400 hectares under hybrid variety and 1900 hectares under the local variety, sources said.

Deputy Director of DAE ANM Mizanur Rahman Amin told BSS Correspondent that 81 per cent of the land has already been planted and the rest would be finished within 10 days.

To make the programme a success, the government has distributed necessary agriculture inputs including quality Boro seeds, fertilisers and ensured of supply of electricity and fuel for irrigation.

After visiting some villages of the district it is seen that the farmers of the district are now busy preparing their land for raising seedlings and transplanting those in the fields.

On the other hand, the members of joint forces led by Major Mizan, commander of Gaibandha Army Camp, have been monitoring the overall progress of Boro cultivation and supply of fertilisers, electricity and other agri-inputs to the farmers.

Huge cache of ganja, phensidyl recovered in B,baria

BSS, Brahmanbaria

Members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) seized a huge cache of narcotics, including ganja and phensidyl, on Thursday night and Friday at the frontiers of Akhaura Upazila of the district.

Police said BDR recovered 162 bottles of phensidyl and 23 bottles of bear from Tanpara area of the Upazila in an abandoned position on Thursday night.

While they seized 41 kgs of ganja and 41 bottles of phensidyl on Friday by searching two buses - Titas Commuter of Akharua and Noakhali express.

News briefs

One slaughtered

in Narsingdi

NARSINGDI, Feb 10: A man was slaughtered allegedly by miscreants at Char Alinagar village in Palash Upazila Thursday night. Local people said the assailants stormed into the house of M Delowar Hossain, 38, at dead of night and slaughtered him with a sharp weapon. On information police recovered the body on Friday morning and sent it to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police suspected that Delowar was killed following a past enmity. A case was filed, reports UNB.

Copper wire seized

THAKURGON, Feb 10: A businessman along with 234 kgs of copper wire was held from the district town's Kalibari area Wednesday night. Detective police and Sadar thana police in a joint drive raided a Dhaka bound truck near Laboni Aluminum godown in the area and recovered the wire used in transformers. Businessman Hafizur Rahman was arrested red handed while the wire, worth about Tk 2 lakh, was being loaded into the truck under his personal supervision. His accomplice Abul Kasem, however, managed to flee the scene, reports UNB.

Rat killing drive begins in Jhalakati

JHALAKATI, Feb 10: Rat killing drive 2007-08 began in the district on Thursday amid much enthusiasm with an aim to kill two lakh rats. Deputy Commissioner Hari Prasad Pal inaugurated the drive at a simple function at local Agriculture Extension Department office. Prizes were also distributed among the winners of best mousetrap makers, rat killers and essay competitors on the occasion. Freedom fighter Mohiuddin secured first position at national level by killing 23,599 rats. DAE has imparted training to 600 people of different professions to achieve the target of rat killing, reports UNB.

Youth hurt in tiger attack

SATKHIRA, Feb 10: A youth was injured in an attack by a tiger while catching fish at Pashukhali canal in Sundarbans on Thursday. Aiyub Ali, 38, and his associates along with axe and sticks made a counter attack as the tiger swooped on Aiyub at noon. The tiger was forced to retreat inside the forest after half an hour of fierce fight. Aiyub, resident of Shyamnagar Upazaila, was admitted to the Upazila Health Complex, reports UNB.

Fertiliser-laden truck seised

SYLHET, Feb 10: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members arrested three people along with a fertiliser-laden truck in Peer Mahalla area of the city on Thursday. Acting on a secret information, a RAB team arrested Nazmul, 25, Hifzur Rahman, 26, and truck driver Nasiruddin, 30, when they were trying to take 25 sacks of fertiliser to Habiganj district by the truck. A case was filed with the Kotwali thana, reports UNB.

Convicted prisoner dies in Jhalakati

JHALAKATI, Feb 10: A convicted prisoner died at Sadar Hospital here on Thursday. Jail authorities said prisoner Idris Sikder, 40, suddenly fell sick in the afternoon and was rushed to the hospital where the attending doctors declared him dead. Idris, resident of Uttampur village in Rajapur Upazila, earlier was sentenced to five years imprisonment in a case.

One sentenced to 14-yr imprisonment

KHULNA, Feb 10: A tribunal here on Wednesday convicted a man and sentenced him to 14 years rigorous imprisonment on charge of possessing fake notes. The convict, Masum Billah of Naltala village in Batiaghata Upazila, was also fined Tk 5,000, in default, to suffer more three months in jail. According to the prosecution, Masum Billah along with six fake notes of Tk 500 and another four notes of Tk 100 was arrested from Doulatpur area of the city on January 8, 2003, reports UNB.