The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sweltering heat disrupts normal life in Ctg

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Normal life was disrupted to a large extent here in the port city over the last couple days because of the persisting simmering summer.

The sunbeam turned as the scorching sunhat as ferocious flame caused skin burning apart from unusually high moisture in the air prompted over sweating no matter in the sun or at home. Busy thoroughfares of the port city turn almost deserted couple of hours after the sunrise. Vehicular movement on the streets during the daytime dropped drastically as the melted asphalt emulsion made majority of the road surface sticky.

Outdoor-workers mainly the manual labourers, vendors, rickshaw and pushcart-pullers were hard hit by the ugly summer when the mercury fluctuated between 32.3 and 35.0 degrees Celsius over the week.

According to the meteorological office here in the port city the highest temperature was recorded 33.3 degrees Celsius on Saurday. Although the day temperature dropped slightly on Sunday but unusually high humidity in the air did spoil minimum comfort to the citizens. The ugly summer enhanced the demand of water in the city and its close peripheries by manifolds. Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) had to regret dozens of request for water mainly for want of adequate number of tank lorries.

People loved staying at home even during the daytime simply to avoid the scorching sun and avoid outing unless forced. Some of the educational institutions mainly lacking adequate facilities for addressing the adverse weather relieved their students from attending class.

Farm workers at villages adjacent to the port city had allegedly been charging additional wage for working longer hours in the field.

Wayside drink vendors were seen dealing crowd at places. Juicy fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, carrots, green coconut and cucumbers were top on the public demand. Soft drinks manufacturers are taking benefit of the unusual hot days.

Weathermen said that the port city had been experiencing unusually high temperature this year and the upward trend of the day temperature might continue for another couple of days.

The meteorologist speculated a number of storms or low in the bay by late this month. "Currently a seasonal heat-wave is sweeping the country which may intensify further by next couple of days," a senior weatherman in Chittagong said turning down the possibility of rain before April 29.

'17 pc plots of BSCIC Estate in Barisal begins used for industrialisation’

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Only seventeen percent plots of the industrial estate of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Barisal are under use for industrialisation and about fifty percent of those industries are sick.

Barisal BSCIC sources said the estate was established in 1961 to develop socio-economic conditions through industrialisation in the southern region with 461 industrial plots including 330 developed and 133 under developing plots.

Since then 244 out of 330, developed plots were allotted for establishing industries and industries established on only 75 plots until this report.

However, 31 out of those 75 industries are now sick and at the verge of closure and conditions of rest 44 are not so well. A high powered team led by Mahbub-ur-Rahman, chairman and Mustafizur Rahman, general manager of BSCIC, Mirza Nurul Gani Shovan, director of Small and Mid ranged Entrepreneurs Foundation, two other members of the three-member team, visited Barisal and Patuakhali BSCIC estate on January 6 and 7, 2008.

They exchanged views with officials of BSCIC, financial institutions, business organizations, entrepreneurs, district administration to review the conditions and modernizations of those industrial facilities.

Participants of that exchange of views programme said undisrupted power supply sources like electricity or natural gas need to develop industrialisation in this region.

Natural gas supply from Shahbazpur gas field of Bhola could play vital role in industrialisations of the region by giving power supply, they hoped. They also emphasised on taking steps for improvement of infrastructure, development of communication and power supply, creating business friendly environment including special law and order and security arrangements and proper utilisation of the plots in Barisal BSCIC industrial estates.

The team after visiting 20 BSCIC estates of the country prepared their report with suggestions on February 2008, which yet not implemented.

Ebaidul Huq Chan, president of the Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries and director of FBCCI, said that full pledged activation of the BSCIC estates will not only develop the region economically, but also will play positive role in social development by reducing unemployment and poverty rate.

6 held with fake madrasa certificates in Ctg

BSS, Chittagong

Police arrested six persons with fake certificates of Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board from different places in the city and district Saturday and Sunday.

Police also seized from them fake certificates issued by different madrasas, admit cards, registration cards, testimonials and rubber stamps of officials of private and public institutions, District Police sources said.

The arrested were Mowlana Mohammad Lokman, 52, Principal of Hathazari Mirzapur Madrasa, Ibrahim Naimee, 45, a senior Mohaddes of Gohira Kamil Madrasa under Raozan upazila, Mowlana Humayon Kabir, 22, of Purba Mekhal under Hathazari, Mowlana Ziaul Hoq, 33, of Satkania upazila, Mowlana Nesar Uddin, 28, of Karuria under Raozan, and Mowlana Khalil Ullah, 24, of Saral under Banshkhali upazila in the district.

Mohammad Alamgir, Officer in-Charge of Hathazari Thana, told BSS that following secret information, a team of Hathazari police arrested Ziaul Hoq and Nesar from Hathazari Sadar area last night along with some fake certificates.

According to their confession, law enforcers arrested Mawlana Ibrahim and Mawlana Lokman also from Hathazari Sadar area with huge fake academic documents and certificate making materials early Sunday.

Pahela Baishakh celebrated in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

The Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year, was observed in Gopalganj in befitting manner on April 14 last.

The programmes of the day were Barsha Baran, colourful rally discussion meeting, drama, cultural function, Baishakhi Mela, Shishu Ananda Mela, Halkhata of Businessmen and prize distribution ceremony.

SM Ashfaque Hussain, Deputy Commissioner-Gopalganj inaugurated the day-long programmes on the occasion of the Pahela Baishakh at Gopalganj district Shilpakala academy premises.

Gopalganj Anirban School (Kindergarten) Maleka academy, Sharnakali School Jugoshika School, Bina Pani Government Girls High School, SM Model Govt. High School, Gopalganj Shaikh Fazilatunnessa Govt. Women's college brought out colourful rally on the main roads of Gopalganj town early in the morning on the day.

Hundreds of men, women kishons and children came out from their residence and enjoyed the programme.

Int’l training course on Good Governance in Rural Dev begins in Comilla

UNB, Comilla

A two-week international training course on Good Governance in Rural Development began here at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) Sunday. A total of 16 senior and mid-level officials from government, autonomous bodies, research and training institutions of Asian countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Darussalam and host Bangladesh are attending the training course. Sponsored by Governance and Institution Development Division (GIDD) of Commonwealth Secretariat, United Kingdom, BARD organised the training course.

The Prime objective of the course is to share the basic concepts and issues of rural development, good governance and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). Moreover, the course will acquaint the participants with policies, programmes and strategies relating to the pro-poor governance in participating countries.

Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary ATM Fazlul Karim, inaugurated the programme as chief guest with Director General of BARD M Khairul Kabir in the chair.

PBCP man killed in encounter with police in Rajshahi

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

Sailal Sarder(42) alias Hira son of Moksed Sarder of Shafiqpur Dakkhinpara village under Raninagar thana of Naogaon district was killed in an encounter with the members of RAB-5, Rajshahi early Friday morning.

A press release of RAB said, Sailal Sarder was a member of outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party(PBCP-ML) of Lalpataka wing. RAB also recovered some fire arms and ammunition from his possession.

RAB sources informed, being tipped of the members of RAB geared to gherao a bamboo cluster at Vatkoi village where some outlawed members of sarbahara were holding secret meeting with fire arms on Friday dead night. Sensing the presence of RAB, the outlawed terrorist members opened fire towards the RAB members and the RAB also countered to save their lives and government properties.

UP member arrested in Madaripur

BSS, Madaripur

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested a union parishad member on charge of taking bribe at Rajoir upazila of the district on Wednesday.

The arrested was identified as Haider Ali, member of Amgram union parishad under Rajoir Upazila.

RAB sources said, a team of the elite force arrested Haider Ali while he was taking bribe from one Papiya Begum assuring her to issue VGF card.

He was handed over to Rajoir Thana.

Seminar on 'American education system’ held at RU

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

A seminar held on "American education system and society" at Mamotaz Uddin Arts Building auditorium of Rajshahi University (RU) on April 18 last.

Philosophy department of RU organised the seminar. Professor Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak presented keynote presented on the programme. He said " American education system is totally different from our country, their education system is dialogue method and 25 students exist in a class room."

7 houses gutted at Hironpur Bazar in Netrakona

BSS, Netrakona

A total of seven shops were gutted in a devastating fire that broke out in a super market at Hironpur Bazar under Purbadhala upazila in the district on Tuesday.

Netrakona fire service sources said, the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a battery shop in the market and engulfed the adjoining areas. The fire damaged four stationery shops, one electronic shop and a medicinal store. Being informed, a fire fighting team from Netrakona district headquarters rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control after two hour efforts. Deputy Commissioner of Netrakona Mahammad Aiyatullah Majumder visited the spot and assured the affected businessmen of possible help on behalf of the District administration.

News Briefs

7 held in Nilphamari

NILPHAMARI , Apr 22 - Police have arrested seven people and seized a substantial amount of heroin and phensidyl smuggled from across the border. Special police squads raided drug peddlers and corners in Nilphamari and Syedpur towns as complaints mounted that drug dealers are spoiling the youngsters. Those arrested are Monwara Begum, Anwara Begum, Ali Hossain, Sahida Begum, Atiqul, Sahabul and Badruddoza. Husband of Monwara and her younger sister are already in jail for drug peddling. During interrogation they admitted of smuggling heroin and phensidyl through the plains of Hili border, report UNB.

Bombs, bullets seized

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Apr 22: Rapid Acton Battalion members seized nine bombs, 20 rounds of bullet and 22 bottles of phensidyl and Rs 10,000 from Huzrapur Zora in the town on Sunday. Acting on a tip off, members of RAB-5 raided Amin Traders, a C&F agency, at about 12.15 pm and recovered the bombs, bullets, phensidyl and Indian rupees. None was arrested in this connection but police was interrogating Ruhul Amin, owner of Amin traders, and his staff till filing the report this evening, reports UNB.

Two cops suspended in Barisal

BARISAL, April 22: Barisal Metropolitan Police authority suspended two cops on Saturday for selling seized phensidyl syrup to drug peddlers from the storeroom of the district court. Deputy Commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police Kazi Mortaz Ahmed confirmed the incident Saturday night and said they suspended Sub Inspector Abdur Rahman and Constable Masum Billah after preliminary investigation. Sources said, acting on a tip-off, a team of RAB-8 caught red-handed drug peddler Delwar, 22, from the downstairs of the court building and recovered 10 bottles of phensidyl syrup from his possession. Later, during interrogation by RAB personnel Delwar confessed that he bought the phensidyl syrup from the two policemen reports UNB.

Minor boy killed in Sylhet road mishap

Sylhet, Apr 22: A minor was killed in a road accident on Jakiganj-Sylhet road near Shahgali Bazar in Jakiganj upazila on Saturday. The dead was identified as Rahi, 5, son of Bilal Ahmed at Pail village in the upazila. Witnesses said the accident occurred as a speeding bus ran Rahi over when he was crossing the road along with his grandmother at about 9am. Rahi died on the spot. The driver fled the scene soon after the accident. Agitated local people put barricade on the road protesting the accident. Police on information rushed to the spot and removed the barricade two and half-hours later assuring punitive measures against the bus driver. A case was filed.

Four snatchers held in Savar

SAVAR, Apr 22: Police with the help of local people arrested four muggers while fleeing after robbing valuables from garment workers at Jirar Bazar under Ashulia than Friday night. Police said the snatchers equipped with sharp weapons swooped on the garment workers at about 11pm on their way home from work places and took away cash and valuables from them. Hearing the screams of the victims a police patrol team with the help of the locals caught the muggers identified as Saidur, Sohel, Sumon and Jewel. Police recovered three sharp weapons from their possession. A case was filed against them, reports UNB.