The New Nation - Internet Edition

Need for increasing production of high-valued crops underscored

BSS, Rangpur

Agriculture experts at a training course today expressed their confidence that the country could achieve self-reliance in production of all variety crops, including high-valued crops using the latest technology.

They also underscored the need for increasing production of high-valued crops, fruits, vegetables, oil seeds and spicy crops with a view to reducing dependence on import of foodgrains, edible oils and spices and saving huge hard-earned foreign exchange.

They said this in the course organised by the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) under the ongoing North-west Crop Diversification Project (NCDP) at Motherhat Growers' Market in Ramnathpur Union under Pirganj Upazila to disseminate the latest agro-technology among the farmers.

Chaired by Pirganj UNO Rezanur Rahman, the course was attended by Deputy Director of DAE, Rangpur Kamal Shariful Alam as the chief guest.

Assistant Director of NCDP Project Anwarul Haque and Upazila Agriculture Officer Mokbul Hossain were present as special guests, and farmers from allover the UP took part in the training course.

The speakers said that the region produces huge surplus quantity of major crops like rice, potato, vegetables, maize, fruits and has tremendous potentialities for increasing productions of the same further.

They said the government's efforts for poverty alleviation would be accelerated further, with small and marginal farmers achieving self- reliance, if every inch of land all around could be brought under crop farming.

The experts stressed the need for encouraging the small and marginal farmers and common people to produce more high-valued crops by providing them need-based training, latest available technologies and necessary inputs to make the initiative successful.

They suggested the farmers and agro-officials that mixed and inter- cropping methods of crop farming could be very effective for increasing productions of all variety high-valued crops, including spicy crops as those could be cultivated under shadows, homesteads and everywhere.

They said an increased production of the major crops and all other high-valued crops under the NCDP programme would definitely strengthen country's rural economy if all of the small and marginal farmers and common people were involved with the campaign.

Sanitary materials distributed in Kaliganj

BSS, Kaliganj (Lalmonirhat)

Tushbhander Pragoti Federa-tion (TPF) with the assistance of Bangladesh NGO Foundation distributed sanitary materials among the distressed and poor families in Kaliganj Upazila of Lalmonirhat district on Saturday.

A simple ceremony was organised on the occasion on TPF premises with Federation Chairman Nirmal Kumar Roy in the chair. Kaliganj UNO Hamidul Haque Khan attended the function as the chief guest.

Manager of Kaliganj office of Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural Service Mukul Dey, Secretary of TPF Ismail Hossain, its Treasurer Phakhar Uddin were present as the special guests.

Addressing the ceremony, the speakers urged the local people for creating public awareness about usages of sanitary latrines, safe drinking waters and to follow the hygienic rules for a better and disease-free life.

Later, the chief guest distributed 50 sets of ring slabs among 50 distressed and poor families from allover the Upazila.

Panchagarh Newsletter

AGM of district sports assocn held

Our Correspondent, Panchagarh

Triannual generasl meeting of Panchagarh District Sports Association was held at Panchagarh Stadium on Saturday. The meeting was presided over by Md. Hafiz Uddin, Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh and President of District Sports Association Panchagarh. The entire meeting was conducted by Ad. Miraz Nazmul Islam Kazal, member of Panchagarh District Sports Association. It may be mentioned this Triannual meeting was held after 4 years which is loving cherished desire of sports long person.

A grand reception jointly organised by Jatiya Kabita Parisad, Panchagarh branch and Panchagarh Sahitya Sangsad was accorded to language hero Md. Anarul Islam on the premises of Central Shaheed Minar in the District Panchagarh on the occasion of Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day on 26th February. Chairman (In charge), Panchagarh Pourasava Md. Abdul Kader (F.F) addressed the function as the chief guest. The function was presided over by Mirza Sabdarul Islam Mukta, President, Jatiya Kabita Parisad, Panchagarh. The function was also addressed among others, by Md. Aktaruzzaman Dist, Children Affairs Officer, Md. Mizanur Rahman Bablu, President Zilla Natya Samittee, Panchagarh, Ad. Ahasan Habib Plabon, Md. Ariful Islam Pollob, President Panchagarh Sahitya Sangsad and Md. Abdullah Al Mamun Babu Secretary General Panchagarh Sahitya Sangsad. After getting the reception language hero Md Anarul Islam in his speech paid rich tributes to the Ekushey Martyrs and prayed for the eternal peace of the souls of those who sacrificed their lives in the language movement. Later on a cultural function was held.

Three arrested

Two office staff and one broker arrested by members of Panchagarh joint forces from district record room office on February 28 last. Arrested persons are Zorif Uddin (52), Senior Assistant, Bijoy Das (42) Office Assistant, Liton (22) broker.

Joint Forces members arrested them at office with 7 thousand taka in hand. Panchagarh Thana Police OC Zamir Uddin says arrested three persons are still now in thana hajot and they will be produced before the court as per rule.

Prize distribution held

The prize giving ceremony of Standard Chater Young Tiger 16 National School Cricket Championship was held at Panchagarh Sugar Mills field in Panchagarh on 1st March. UNO Panchagarh Sadar Md. Tahmidul Islam was present as the chief guest. While Md. Saikhul Islam Secretary General of Panchagarh district sports association as special guest. It was also presided over by ATM Hasanuzzaman Polash. The function was also addressed among others, ATM Kamruzzaman Sanshah, Join Secretery Panchagarh District Sports Association, Md. Shahidul Islam, Journalist Daily Prothom Alo.

34 arrested on various charges in two districts

BSS, Rangpur

Police arrested 32 persons including suspected criminals from different parts of the district on Saturday.

The arrested persons include thieves, absconding accused in different cases, warrantees, drug peddlers and traffickers, suspected criminals and anti-social elements, police said.

Police also seized ganja, phensidyl, local made wine and other illegal things and recovered stolen goods during the drives.

Police arrested drug trafficker Anwar, 25, and seized two bottles of phensidyl and a motorcycle from his possession from Badarganj Upazila on Friday night.

Of the total, Kotwali police arrested nine, Gangachara two, Taraganj one, Badarganj three, Mithapukur six, Pirganj two, Pirgachha five and Kawnia four. Later, the arrested persons were sent to jail hajat when police produced them before different Rangpur Courts today, the sources said.

BSS, Joypurhat adds: Police arrested two alleged fertilisers smugglers and seized 22 sacks of fertilisers from Rashulpur Madrasa area under Panchbibi Upazila in the district on Friday. Police said, acting on a tip-off, police raided the area and recovered the fertilisers.

The arrested were identified as Safikul Islam, 25, and Anisur Rahman, 27.

A case was filed with Panchbibi thana in this connection.

Sports competition held in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

The annual women's sports competition 2008 of the Gopalganj district women's sports Association was held at Gopalganj Sheikh Fazilatunnissa Government Women's College ground on Friday.

SM Ashfaque Hussan, Deputy Commissioner Gopalganj inaugurated the day-long annual women's sports competition.

Mohammad Mohamudur Rahman, PPM Superintendent of Police Gopalganj and Mrs Rahela Mahamud Bithi, vice-president Gopalanj district Women's sports association were also present as special guests respectively.

Mrs Selina Hussen, president Gopalganj district women's sports Association (GDWSA) presided over the day-long annual women's sports competition. Mrs Shamima Parbin, general secretary, Gopalganj district women's sports association conducted the competition. Mrs Salina Hussen, president Gopalganj district women's sports association gave vote of thank to the attending competitors, elite and guests.

85 women competitors participated in the annual womens sports competition.

After the prize distributing programme was held on the college ground.

Mrs Shanaj Reaza Anni, Provashak Gopalganj Shaikh Faziatunnissa government women's college, conducted the prize distributing function.

NATAB holds discussion meet in Gazipur

An advocacy meet of National Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Bangladesh (NATAB) was held at Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur on Saturday. Civil Surgeon, Gazipur. Dr Hafizur Rahman Khan spoke as chief guest at the function chaired by Prebedent NATAB, Gazipur district unit. Dr Ruhul Forkan Siddique, Chief Guest in his speech explained the objectives of the organisation and called upon all scouts and Girl guides to be good citizen and dedicated social worker.

It was addressed among others, by Headmaster Rani Bilash Moni Government Boys High School Md. Idris Ali Azizi, Headmaster Shaheed Smriti High School Khairul Islam general Secretary, Zila Krira Sangstha, Advocate Manjur Murshed Prince, Sixty Scouts including Girl Guides participated in the meeting.

News Briefs

NGO chief flees with deposited money in Nator

NATORE, Mar 3: Hundreds of agitating people ransacked and set on fire the office of a fake NGO at Nasratpur in Sadar Upazila this (Friday) morning after the NGO chief reportedly fled with crores of Taka deposited by local people. Police and local people said Ishaque Ali, chief of the NGO Freedom Unnayan Sangstha, and his associates had collected deposits over last one year from people of the district, alluring them to give high interest rates. Ishaque Ali and other officials of the NGO fled from village Nasratpur, where they had their office, on Thursday night. After the news spread that they had fled, depositors thronged the NGO office and ransacked and set it on fire, reports UNB.

Fertiliser seised

COMILLA, Mar 3: Police seized 855 sacks of fertiliser from Baghmara in Sadar Dakkhin Upazila of the district on Wednesday night. Police said they raided the area following a tip-off that Hanif Majumder and Obaidul Haq hoarded various types of fertilisers for smuggling. Police arrested Hanif Majumder but Obaidul managed to flee from the spot. They are not authorised dealers of fertiliser, police said. A case was filed, reports UNB.

2 killed in road mishap

SYLHET, Mar 3: Two people were killed in two separate road accidents in the district Wednesday. Sources said Ubeda Begum, 60, was crushed under the wheels of a speeding bus while crossing the road at Khadimpara in Sadar Upazila on Sylhet-Tamabil Highway Wednesday. Meanwhile, Dulal Hossain,32 was seriously injured when a truck hit him at Nazirbazar in Dakkhin Surma Upazila on Sylhet-Dhaka Highway. He died when he was taken to Osmani Medical College Hospital, reports UNB.

4 drug peddlers arrested in Bagerhat

BAGERHAT, Mar 3: Police arrested four suspected drug peddlers and recovered various types of drugs from them in the district on Thursday. Sources said Salma Begum, 32, Mafuza Begum, 31, and Hossain Ali Gazi, 30, were arrested by police from Katakhali bus stand on Khulna-Mongla Highway in the district at about noon. After searching them, police recovered 85 bottles of Indian phensidyl from their possessions, reports UNB.

One gets life for killing

SYLHET, Mar 3: A court here Wednesday convicted a man and awarded him life term imprisonment for killing his two stepbrothers. The court also fined the convict, Swakat Ali,35, Tk 25,000, in default, to suffer one year more RI. According to prosecution, Swakat Ali hit his stepbrother Ayub Ali with a sharp weapon following past enmity, leaving him injured at Dumka village in Goainghat Upazila on March 6,2005. Swakat also hit his another stepbrother Mahmud Ali when he came to save his brother Ayub, leaving him injured. The injured were admitted to Osmani Medical College Hospital where the two siblings-Mahmud and Ayub Ali succumbed. A case was filed. After examining records and 16 witnesses, district and Session Judge Md Abdul Gafur handed down the verdict, reports UNB.

Office-Executives elected

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Mar 3: Advo Alhaj Shahjada Biswas and Advo Anwar Hossain Dollar have been elected President and General Secretary of Chapainawabganj District Bar Association respectively. Other elected persons are Vice Presidents-Monirul Islam and Mainul Islam, Assistant General Secretaries Yunus Ali and Mahmudul Islam Kanok, finance secretary Abdul Majid, library secretary Jahur Ahmed and magazine secretary Anjumanara Begum. Besides, six members of the association were elected unopposed. They are Alimul Haque Siddique, Moyez Uddin, Pintu, Akteruzzaman Jewel, Farid Ahmed Jony and Farhad Hossain. The election was held at Bar Association Bhaban on Wednesday, reports UNB.