The New Nation - Internet Edition

Businessman shot dead in Rangamati

UNB, Rangamati

A businessman was gunned down by unidentified assailants at Baribinda Ghat in Baghaichhari upazila yesterday.

Locals said the gunmen in masks sprayed Tapan Chakma, 36, with bullets as he was selling goods at his shop at about 8:30am, leaving him dead on the spot.

On information, police recovered the body of Tapan, a vocal member of the group calling for reform of the CHT Peace Treaty.

Later, security personnel recovered cartridges of nine bullets from the spot.

With the latest killing, a total of three people demanding reform of the Peace Treaty, were gunned down in the upazila in the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, a foreign-made gun and one cartridge were recovered from Bhedbhedi in the town yesterday.

AL presidium discusses its proposals to be raised with EC

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League presidium yesterday discussed various aspects of its proposals to be placed during the second round of the dialogue with the Election Commission on February 25.

Acting Awami League president Zillur Rahman chaired the meeting at his Gulshan house this evening. The meeting continued till 8:15pm.

The meeting sources said the presidium meeting was discussing its proposals in the light of the Election Commission's draft to reform electoral rules.

After the presidium, the Awami League central working committee will meet today to finalize its proposals.

Presidium members Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Abdur Razzak, Amir Hossain Amu, Suranjit Sengupta, Tofael Ahmed, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Ataur Rahman Khan Kaiser, Kazi Zafrullah and Syed Ashraful Islam were present in the meeting.

Chehlum of Khaleda's mother held in Dinajpur

UNB, Dinajpur

Chehlum of Begum Tayeba Majumder, mother of BNP chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, was held at her Balubari residence in the town yesterday.

Milad-mahfil and destitute feeding were held and prayers offered at the burial place of the late Tayeba Majumder on the occasion.

Deceased's two sons-Major (retd) Sayeed Iskander and engineer Shamim Iskander-welcomed the guests.

Leaders and workers of BNP and its front organizations also attended the chehlum functions.

Tayeba Majumder died of old-age complications at Zia Heart Foundation and Research Centre on January 25.

Around 14,000 chickens culled in Savar

UNB, Savar

Around 14,000 chickens of four poultry farms were culled in Savar municipal area yesterday after detection of avian influenza.

Upazila Livestock officials said some chickens of Sheela Poultry Farm died in last couple of days at Rajashan in the municipal area.

Detection of the avian influenza virus was confirmed at the farm after laboratory test. It was then decided to kill all the chickens around one kilometre of the farm.

The destroyed chickens included 3,100 of Sheela Poultry Farm, 2,800 of Semi Poultry Farm, 1,000 of Polash Poultry Farm and 7,000 of Jewel Poultry Farm.

Around 18,000 more chickens of seven poultry farms are likely to be culled today in a bid to stop spreading of the virus.

'Prices of essentials cheaper in BDR-run sales centers'

BSS, Dhaka

Prices of essentials were cheaper Thursday in the BDR-run sales centers and markets compared to those in the city's ordinary markets, according to a BDR market report released here on Friday.

Flour in packet is being sold between Taka 41 and 43 per kg in the ordinary markets, it said adding, the item was sold at Taka 41 per kg in the BDR-run open markets and Taka 34 in the BDR-run sales centers. The price of one kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 24.13.

Coarse rice was sold in different markets between Taka 29 and 30 per kg, while the price of the same item in the BDR-run markets is Taka 29 and BDR-run sales centers is Taka 25 and in Kolkata markets, it is being sold at Taka 25.

Onion(imported) was sold at Taka 12 per kg in the BDR-run open markets. Price of onion in other city markets were between Taka 13 and 18. The item is being sold in Kolkata at Taka 10.34.

Potato is being sold from Taka 12 to Taka 14 per kg in the ordinary markets, while its price in the BDR-run open markets is Taka 12. In Kolkata, price of the item is Taka 8.62.

The price of soybean oil ranges between Taka 100 and Taka 110 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 110 in the BDR-run open markets and Taka 90 in its sales centers. In Kolkata, price of the soybean oil is Taka 117.24 per liter.

Palm oil is being sold between Taka 98 to Taka 105 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 100 per liter in the BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, price of the palm oil is Taka 103.44 per liter.

Hilsha fish was sold in different markets from Taka 240 to Taka 290 per kg, the report said.

President, CA greet Brunei Sultan

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed on Friday felicitated Brunei's Sultan on the occasion of his country's National Day.

"On the auspicious occasion of the National Day of Negara Brunei Darussalam, it gives me immense pleasure in conveying to your majesty our heartiest greetings and felicitations," President Iajuddin said in a message to the Sultan Dan Yang Di- Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'zzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien.

He expressed his confidence that the long standing bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two brotherly countries would further be widened and deepened in the days ahead as the two nations enjoyed warm and cordial relations, which had grown in depth and dimension over the years.

The chief adviser in his message also expressed the hope that "the bonds of friendship that so happily exist between our two countries will be further strengthened to the mutual benefits of our two peoples in the days ahead."

Both the president and the chief adviser wished the Sultan good health happiness and long life and continued peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Brunei Darussalam.

Faruk, Anis elected BJFCI President, Secy

BSS, Dhaka

Faruk Ahmed, senior journalist of BSS, and Anisur Rahman of The Financial Express were elected president and secretary general of Bangladesh Journalists' Forum for Consumers and Investors (BJFCI) on Friday.

The election of the 25-member National Executive Committee of BJFCI was held at the National Press Club in the presence of journalists of different dailies, news agencies, TV and private radio channels, a press release said.

Other elected office-bearers are: vice presidents-Enamul Haque (BSS), Kaykobad Milon (Ittefaq), Nurul Azam Pabon (BTV) and Aiyub Bhuiyan (Bhorer Kagoj), joint secretary-Mursalin Nomani (BSS), treasurer-Muhammad Jahangir Alam (BID), organising secreatary-Md. Shariful Islam (Daily Star), publication and publicity secretary-Mita Chowdhury (Bartoman Bangla), information and research secretary-Nayeem Nowroz (Al-Ameen), international affairs secretary-Khondoker F. Rahman (Observer), Zilani Milton (Nayadiganta), human rights and law affairs secretary-Dulal Hossain (Financial Express), investment affairs secretary-Syed Ali Asfaq, office secretary - Asfaqur Rahman (Bangladesh Express), members - Ali Sanowar (Observer), Abul Khair (Ittefaq), Belayet Hossain (Dinkal), Shamim Ara (BID), Mohammad Shahnewaz (BSS), Ezaz Ahmed (Ittefaq), Shamim Siddique (Inqilab) and Rezaul Karim (Sangbad).

The election was conducted by chief reporter of the daily Bhorer Kagoj Aiyub Bhuyian, Chairman of Consumers' Foundation N. Islam and BSS journalist Enamul Haque.

Earlier a general meeting was held with Faruk Ahmed in the chair.

Music competition for children held at Bangla Academy

BSS, Dhaka

The final round of recitation and music competition for children were held on the 22nd day of 'Amar Ekushey Book Fair' at the Bangla Academy in the city on Friday morning.

Litterateur Syed Shamsul Haq, singer Sudhin Das and artist Quaiyum Chowdhury handed over awards among the winning children. The prize giving ceremony was presided over by Bangla Academy Director General Dr Syed Mohammad Shahed, said a Bangla Academy press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Shamsul Haq said the achievements of the nation would have to be disseminated to the next generations through a proper practice of the Bangla language.

Syed Mohammad Shahed said the Bangla Academy has been holding art, recitation and music competitions for children regularly. He hoped that the children of now-a-today would emerge as the country's leading artistes in future.

In the evening, a cultural function was held at the Academy stage. Cultural bodies 'Swabhumi' and 'Narigrantha Prabartana' performed group songs in the function.

Muztaba Ahmed Murshed presided over the programme, the press release said.