The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tetulia river erosion takes serious turn

Our Correspondent, Bauphal (Patuakhali)

Living hood around the barrage residence frustrated by the swift grabbing by The Tetulia River. The protective barrage of Bauphal and The Char Miajan has been heavily damaged by erosion. In the mean time, a large portion of these two barrages collapsed by river current and The SIDR of 15th November, 2007 in that case about 3 lac 50 thousand people of 8 unions will fall on danger and face irreparable damage.

On spot visit of The Char Ray Shaheb Barrage Project, it is found that 1.5 km out of 13 km already been damaged and 10 thousand cultivators are leading miserable lives with their cattle and their future cultivation has become uncertain. It is further mentioned that about 1km of Kalaiya Mominpur GCC road has already been damaged near Boro Dalima.

This erosion needs immediate protection to save 2 lac 50 thousand people of 8 unions including Bauphal sadar.

The Chairman of Najirpur-Taterkathi Union Ibrahim Faruk applied to the proper authority demanding immediate necessary steps. Upazilla Engineer Md. Mehedi Hassan Khan said that after applying to LGED, they spent 1 lac 80 thousand taka from revenue to protect the erosion by bamboo Palisade. But this protection is not enough to protect 8 unions of Bauphal Upazilla, bypass road will be necessary in this regard.

Workshop on use of 'guti' urea held in Chandpur

BSS, Chandpur

A day-long workshop on 'proper use of 'guti' urea in producing paddy' was held at the office of the Deputy Commissioner on Saturday.

Secretary Of the Ministry of the agriculture attended the workshop as the chief guest.

Among others, the workshop was addressed, among others, by Director General of Department of Agriculture Extension Shamsul Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Chandpur SM Monirul Islam, IFDC director Ishrat Jahan.

The chief guest in his speech said with the growth of the country's population the demand for food is also increasing and to increase food production the use of guti urea in paddy cultivation has been gaining popularity.

He urged the farmers to use guti urea in their paddy field for better yield.

The workshop was informed that farmers of about 80 Upazilas will be using guti urea during the current boro season.

About 120 guti urea producers of Chandpur, Comilla and Noakhali were present in the workshop.

Girls become self reliant by embroidery in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

Small Enterprise and Market Promotion Intervention (SEMPI) of the River Erosion Project under Practical Action-Bangladesh, a non-government organisation, is working for creating job opportunities of the river erosion girls of the district.

The officials sources said, the organisation has been implementing different welfare activities including construction of cluster village and multipurpose flood shelters, fish culture and relief distribution for the river erosion victims living in the Teesta and Brahmaputra rivers basins of the district.

The work of cross-stitch hand embroidery (Karchupi) is one of the activities of the organisation.

A total of five karchupi centres have been set up in Shorishar Khamar, Durgapur area and Baguria village under Sadar upazila, Ketkirhaat area under Fulchhori upazila and Nilkuthi dam area under Shaghata upazila of the district.

At least 260 girls were working in the Karchupi centres. Earlier, they were also imparted three-month training on setting Kafrchupi chumki, and puthi in the clothes, said Abdur Rahim Kajol, coordinator of SEMPI.

A buyer said ordinary a set of three pieces is being sold at Taka 300 but after setting karchupi, chumki and other designs the three pieces is being sold at Taka 800 to 1000 in the markets.

Each of the girls is given Taka 150 for setting the Karchupi and chumki on each set of three pieces.

The trained girls have become self-reliant and some of them are giving financial support to their families.

The marriages of some girls were also being solemnised without dowry as they are earning, the sources said.

National ID card distribution begins in Joypurhat

BSS, Joypurhat

Distribution of national identity (ID) cards began in Joypurhat Municipality on Saturday.

Local joint forces commander Lt. Col. Jahidur Rahman inaugurated the distribution program at a function at the local Poura Auditorium.

Chaired by Poura Chairman Fazlur Rahman, the function was addressed, among others, by District Election Officer Saiful Islam. The ID cards were handed over to voters of Ward-number 9.

Potato harvesting begins in Chandpur

BSS, Chandpur

Harvesting of potato has been started at Chandpur, one of the largest potato producing areas in the country.

According to Agriculture Extension Department office sources bumper potato production is expected this year in the district.

About 20,500 hectares of land have been brought under potato cultivation this current season.

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation and Agriculture Extension Department supplied seeds, fertilisers, and other agricultural inputs to the potato growers.

2 held with huge phensidyl in Sirajganj

BSS, Sirajganj

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a drive arrested two persons with 350 bottles of phensidyl near the Jamuna Bridge west thana in the district on Monday.

The arrested were identified as Md Rafiqul Islam, 25, son of Abdul Karim under Boalia Thana in Rajshahi district and Kumar Sarkar ,22, son of Anil Sarkar village Sarkar Para under Charghat Upazila in Rajshahi district. Police said a team of the RAB led by ASP Md Shahid Ullah during a routine drive intercepted a Dhaka bound microbus from Rajshahi and seized with 350 bottles of phensidyl from the possession of two passengers.

Farmer's training on leaf colour chart held in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

A day long programme on farmers training organised by Department of Agriculture Extension on the use of leaf colour chart was held at the auditorium of Fulchari upazila in the district on February 23 aimed at reducing the pressure on the use of urea fertiliser in agri crop land.

Fulchari upazila agriculture officer M. Shawkat Ali and Agriculture Extension Officer Mahbub Alam concluded the training as resource persons, sources said.

The farmers were also briefed about the increased application of Guti granule fertiliser to minimise the loss of nitrogen from urea fertiliser.

A total of 30 farmers of the upazila took part in the training. Local elite, journalists were also present in the training course.

Annual sports held at Dhumketu Pre-cadet School

Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Annual sports and prize distribution function of Dhumketu Pre-Cadet and High School in Tongi have ended on Monday at 3 PM.

Special Guests at the function delivered the speech chaired by Chairman Domkato School Committee Advocate Abul Hossan at school field. The function was also addressed among others, by Abul Sattar Molah Nazim Uddin Sarkar, Manobadhikar Bureau President, Gazipur District unit, Mofiz Uddin Abul Kalam Molla and teachers of the school.

Besides, Staff Reporter Channel I, and former Secretary Gazipur Press Club, Iqbal Ahmmad Sarkar, guardians and students including local elite were present the function. Later on, a cultural function was held.

Language hero accorded reception in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

A grand reception organized by Gobindaganj Upasila administration was accorded to a language hero Gopal Majumder on the premises of BM Girls High School of the Upazila in the district on the occasion of Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day.

UNO of Gobindaganj Upazila Kabir Al-Asad addressed the function as chief guest.

Presided over by acting head teacher Abdur Rashid Sarker, the function was also addressed, among others, by Poura Chairman Principal Abul Kalam Azad, Educationist Professor Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, Professor Abdul Matin Sarder, Professor Abdul Mannan Sarker, Upazila Agriculture Officer Mir Abdur Razzak and local Press Club president Zahidur Rahman Tuku.

Later, he was given a crest on behalf of the Upazila Administration in his honour.

After getting the crest language hero Gopal Majumder in his voice paid deep tribute to the Ekushey Martyrs and prayed for the eternal peace of the souls of those who sacrificed their lives in the language movement.

He also expressed his gratefulness to the upazila administration for arranging such a reception function for him.

A large number of people attended the function.

News briefs

Seminar on HIV/AIDS held at RU

Rajshahi, Feb 28: A seminar titled 'The Role of Students in Combating AIDS' was held at Dean Complex Bhaban of Rajshahi University (RU) here on Monday. Rotaract Club and Sociology Department of Rajshahi University jointly organized the seminar. Chairman of Sociology Department Dr Faizer Rahman presided over the seminar while Rotaract Shamsur Rahman Meko moderated it. RU Sociology Department professor Dr Sultana Mostafa Khatun, Prof Dr AKM Safiul Islam, lecturer Munsi Israil Hossain, RU chief medical officer Mirza Wazed Hossain Beg, Modhumita Surakkya programme officer Shihab Uddin Chowdhury, former president of RU unit Rotaract Club Tanvir Ahmed and its acting president Shahin Mahmud took part in the discussion, reports UNB.

Businessman stabbed

Sylhet, Feb 28: Snatchers stabbed a businessman and took away about Tk 2 lakh from him at Kanaighat Bazar in Kanaighat upazila on Sunday night. Local sources said Alauddin Chowdhury, 55, also a former UP member came under attack at about 11pm on way home from his business centre. The muggers stabbed him severely and looted Tk 1.83 lakh from him. Hearing Alauddin's screaming, police rushed in and rescued Alauddin. They admitted him to Kanaighat Upazila Health Complex. Later, he was shifted to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. Victim's wife filed a case with the police, reports UNB.

Rampal thana BNP leader held

Bagerhat, Feb 28: The joint forces arrested Rampal thana unit BNP president Mallik Mizanur Rahman Mojnu from Lakpur area in Rampal upazila Monday night on various charges. Acting on a tip-off, the joint troops raided the area at about 9:30pm and arrested Mojnu, also former chairman of Ujolkur Union Parishad. After interrogation, he was handed over to local police station. Local sources said Mojnu was accused of a number of allegations including land grabbing and extortion. Meanwhile, police, as part of their special drives, arrested 28 people on various charges from nine upazilas of the district on Monday night.

Maize cultivation gaining popularity in Joypurhat

Joypurhat, Feb 28: Maize cultivation is gaining popularity among the farmers of the district as it becomes more profitable than other crops. Farmers have been expecting bumper production this season due to favourable weather. Cultivators have been extending their target every season due its low production cost and fair price. Department of Agricultural Extension sources said some 1,650 hectares of land have been brought under maize cultivation in the current season exceeding the target of 800 hectares. If favourable weather prevails 1,650 mts maize would be produced this season, the source said. Last year, 642 hectares of land were brought under maize cultivation against the target of 350 hectares. reports UNB.

Three terrorists held with firearms in Sylhet

Sylhet, Feb 28: RAB members arrested three terrorists along with two firearms and five bullets from Mirapara area in the city Sunday night. Acting on secrete information a team of RAB-9 raided Uzzal restaurant in the area and arrested Shaheen Ahmed, 26, Manikur Rahman alias Kala Maink, 27, and Abdul Matin, 26, along with 2 revolvers and the bullets. RAB sources said the terrorists were wanted in several cases. Another report from Jhenidah said: Police arrested five snatchers along with five knives from Paglakanai and Bepari para areas of the town early Monday, reports UNB.