The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sirajganj people demand immediate completion of flood control dam

Our Correspondent, Sirajganj

The construction works of three embankments on the western bank of Jamuna River before the upcoming flood has become uncertain due to negligence of construction firms and lack of proper supervision by the authorities concerned of Water Development Board (WDB). As a result, Sirajganj dwellers may face the of floods this year and may lose huge properties including lands, homesteads, domestic animals, paddy, rice and vegetables like last year, it is apprehending.

Jamuna has started swelling due to onrush of water from upstream that creating fear of again flood to the people in the area in coming monsoon. Though the WDB authorities claimed that, the construction work of the three dams will complete before the flood of this year, but no progress is found practically in the site due to slow movement by the construction firms, causing tension over flood mounting to the Sirajganj dwellers.

WDB that, three separate projects of flood control dam construction of Tk. 19,25,85000 have been under taken by Bangladesh Government through Water Development Board (WDB) in Sirajganj to protect thousands of people and huge wealth of the district including vast track of croplands and many establishments from floods and erosion by the river Jamuna. The three projects are: 5.88 Kilometers of flood control dam from Maizbari to Shubhgachha in Kazipur upazila, where the government sanctioned Tk 9,54,75000,t 2 Kilometers of flood control dam from Shubhgachha to Simla in the same upazila, where sanctioned Tk. 1,74,40000 and 8.46 Kilometers of dam from Ranigram to Panchthakuri village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila, where sanctioned Tk. 7,96,70000.

The Water Development Board (WDB) gave the work permit to five construction firmstSiam International Construction Ltd, Sultan Ahmed Construction Ltd, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman Construction Ltd, S. M Liakot Ali Construction Ltd and Reja Construction Ltd (RCL).

The construction firms had been started the works of two projects since January in this year, while work of another project had been started since mid the last month. District administration and WDB officials alleged that, if the constructions of the three projects are completed in scheduled (proper) time, about 25 lakh of people in nine upazilas of the district with thousands of homesteads, Hats-Bazars, Schools-Colleges-Madrashas, government and non-government offices and hundreds acres of croplands will safe from the onslaught of flood. The dams also will safe people from erosion by Jamuna. But, if the construction works are not completed before the flood of this year, the Sirajganj dwellers would be faced extreme difficulties, they also further alleged. The sources mentioned that, continuous erosion by the mighty river Jamuna and floods have been damaging huge properties in the district year after year. But, due to lack of proper plan and initiative by the hi-up authorities concerned, checking to them did not possible.

WDB sources said, people of five upazilas like Kazipur, Belkuchi, Sirajganj Sadar, Shahzadpur and Chowhali are highly affected by the flood and erosion every year. Due to lack of protection dam or embankment, Jamuna flows over it banks and engulfs the locality easily.

While asked about their negligent, mismanagement and irregularities, he also denied the allegation and said we are stressing the contractors to complete the construction before flood. Sirajganj dwellers demanded the WDB to finish the works of the flood control embankments absolutely before flood of this year.

Time-befitting naval force to protect offshore resources emphasised

Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam visited Chittagong naval area and monitored activities of special sea exercise for Gas Rig Protection 'Operation Witch Hunt' by Bangladesh Navy to defend offsore resources and installation on Sunday.

Addressing on the occasion Navy Chief urged Naval Personnel to play the role to construct time-befitting Naval Force by the maximum utilisation of technology. He emphasised on practical exercises considering the present perspective of global security, says an ISPR press release.

He also emphasised to continue such exercise with Bangladesh Air Force and other organisations Re-commissioning of BNS Khalid Bin Walid and recent Test Firing of C-802 Missile from BNS Osman has enhanced the fire power capability of Bangladesh Navy, he added.

Navy Chief thanked the naval personnel for their multifarious participation in Rehabilitation programme after SIDR, medical treatment, Operation Jatka and help preparing National ID card in coastal area. Later, Navy chief took part in sapling in front of Command Mess.

Among others, Commodore Commanding Chittagong, Commodore Commanding BN Flotilla Commodore Superintendent Dockyard and high officials and sailors were present on the occasion.

BSF hands over 14 Bangladeshi fishermen to BDR in Benapole

Our Correspondent, Jessore

A total of 14 Bangladeshi fishermen were handed over to BDR by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) recently through Benapole check post who were served 8 months in Indian Jail.

According to BDR sources, that the Indian coastguard arrested 14 Bangladeshi fishermen when they entered in to Indian territory illegally during the time of storm while they were catching fish in Cox's Bazar Sea area. They were handed over to Benapole BDR after 8 months languishing in Alipur Jail in India.

They were identified as Abul Kalam (40), Waheed Molla (30), Mohammad Haroon (32), Noon Aalam (35), Siraj (24), Yusuf (22), Abdur Rahim(40), Jamal Hossain (30), Zafar (28), Feroj Alam (21), Alauddin (36), Aktar Hossain (22), and Abul Kalam (28) all of them here hails from Bhola and Lakhmipur district.

On the other hand BDR also handed over one Indian National Tariqul Mollah(33), to BSF through Benapole check post on the same day after served in Bangladesh Jail term for 6 years 15 days. He intruded into Bangladesh through Satkhira Border on June 2001 illegally and was arrested by Satkhira BDR.

Call to help establish rule of law, democracy

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

More than a hundred law graduates of Chittagong University (CU) and new entrants to the judicial service under special recruitment were accorded a gala reception here at the university campus recently.

The law faculty and the school of law at the university jointly hosted the reception that took place at the auditorium of the social science faculty.

Vice-Chancellor of the university Professor M Badiul Alam addressed the function as the chief guest while dean of the faculty of social science Dr. Gazi Saleh Uddin as the special guest. Dean of the Law Faculty Mohammad Zakir Hossin chaired it.

The CU Vice Chancellor called upon the entrants of the judicial service to devote more in their job and promote establishing rule of law and democracy for the interest of the trimming millions.

"Democracy and rule of law reciprocally reflect the ultimate status of civilization in the society," he said while narrating the importance of judiciary in determining social development.

Calling terrorism a global phenomenon the VC said rule of law would only be applied as the effective tool in curbing the trend and upheld the rights of the people.

Former Chairman of the law school Professor M Shah Alam, incumbent Chairman Abdullah Al Faruq, Professor Khabir Uddin Ahamad, Associate Professor Morsed Mahmud Khan, Assistant Professor Mohammad Mohiuddin Khaled and Assistant Professor Mohammad Zafur Ullah Talukdar among others joined it.

The reception was followed by special feast and cultural program.

One gets life for killing wife in Narail

Our Correspondent, Narail

Abdul Majid, the District and Session Judge of Narail on Monday sentenced a youngman to life-term imprisonment in a case for killing his wife. He also fined him Tk. ten thousand, in default to suffer two years rigorous imprisonment more.

The convict is Mizanur Rahman Biswas, 28, son of Hossain Ali Biswas of Tapanbhag village in Narail sadar upazila.

According to the prosecution, the convict Mizanur created pressure on his wife Asma Begum Baby (22), for dowry. He strangled her to death on December 11, 2006 at night while she was asleep.

After her death, Sub-Inspector Salim Azad lodged a case with Shekhati police camp under Narail police station.

Fine arts festival concludes in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

A four-day fine arts festival, organised by The Charukala Barisal ended on Monday night.

The Charukala Barisal organised the festival marking successful 20 years of its founding. Paintings and sculptures by 44 Barisal origin artists featured in the festival.

This was the first ever fine arts exhibition in Barisal after the independence of Bangladesh since the exhibition of Pakistan Arts Council held in the city in 1968. The concluding creremony presided over by Dipankar Charoborty, president Charukala Barisal and chairman of the exhibition committee, included exhibition and competitions of child and juvenile painters, prize giving ceremony, cultural functions including dance,drama,music, recitation, discussion meetings, exchange of views.

Among others SM Iqbal, former President Of Barisal Press Club, Narayan Saha, Pankaj Chowdhury,Advocate Enayet Pir Khan,Manaabendra Batobayal adressed the gathering of the concludin ceremony of the festival.

Dewan Basit’s son to run in JS poll race

Our Correspondent, Moulvibazar

Dewan Shamim Afzol, youngest son of late Dewan Abdul Basit, who was leader of the house in the then East Pakistan parliament and also a central minister, said at press conference recently at his Rajnagor House that he would be an independent candidature from Moulvibazar-3 Constituency (Sadar and Rajnagar Upazilas) in the next general election.

Discussion on pre-budget held in Magura

Our Correspondent, Magura

A discussion on Budget organised by Supro (Sushasaner Janny Procharavijan) was held on 26th May at the auditorium of Magura district Press-Club.

"Priority of allotment in agriculture, education and health in National Budget for the year 2008-2009 is demanded" is the Topic for discussion.

Md. Ali Akhtar, Chairperson, Supro, acted as moderator. Abdul Halim, Secretary, Supro, addressed the meeting.

Pannel speakers are : 'Principal (Rtd) Habibul Hasan, Abdur Rouf Makhan and Safiqur Rahman. Apart from this ATM Mahabbat Ali, Zila Secretary JSD, ex-Principal Abdul Latif, Abul Khair Alloo, Editor weekly 'Angikar' and Lipika Dutta, Chairman, Nari Unnyan Parishad etc. spoke and placed their opinion about ensuing national budget.

UP member held with bribe money

Our Correspondent, Rangpur

RAB-5 of Rangpur camp nabbed a UP member with bribe money while he was taking bribe for VGD card. RAB arrested him with the money amounting to Taka 500.

Commanding officer of RAB-5 Rangpur Camp said he received allegation against the member as to demand of money for VGD card them RAB set a trap to nab the UP member on May 9. The UP member Md Shahjahan Mia of Horidebpur under Sadar Upazila of the district received the said amount of money from one Begum RAB personnel arrested him instantly.

News briefs

Workshop on role of media begins in Comilla

COMILLA, May 28 : A three-day workshop on the role of media and tele centre to build awareness about human rights began at Comilla Yusuf Pilot Technical High School on Monday. Organised by Relief International, an NGO, the workshop was inaugurated by Additional Deputy Commissioner M Aminul, Islam as the chief guest. On the first day of the workshop, 25 members from different NGOs attended the workshop, reports BSS.

PhD degree conferred

KUSHTIA, May 28 : Mohammad Akhtar Hossain, assistant professor of Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies Department of Islamic University, has been conferred PhD degree from the university. The degree was conferred on him at the 199th syndicate meeting of the university held recently.

One killed by lightening in Habiganj

Habigani, May 28 : One person was killed by lightening at Rahula village on the outskirt of the town here on Monday afternoon. The dead was identified as Sumon Miah, 19, son of Badal Mia of the same village. Locals said a thunder bolt hit Sumon when he was reaping paddy in the field amid heavy downpour. He died on the spot, report BSS.

WDB officials visit projects in Gaibandha

GAIBANDHA, May 28 : Officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB) visite the ongoing development projects of the board here on Sunday.

Additional director general of WDB M. Habibur Rahman and chief executive engineer Abul Kalam Azad came to Gaibandha from Dhaka on Sunday and visited different development projects being implemented at Baguria area under Sadar upazila and Kallamari and Balanpur areas under Fulchhari upazila in the district.

They also inquired about the progress of the projects, sources said. WDB executive engineer Shaful Azam, other officials, contractors and local elite were present, reports BSS.

6 shops fined in Habiganj

HABIGANJ, May 28 : A mobile court has realised Taka 41,000/- as fine from six shops of the town for selling adulterated food and date expiry items on Monday. Executive magistrate Mohammad Alamgir led the mobile court. The mobile court fined Samrat Fashion Taka 10,000, Al Amin Confectionery Taka 5,000 and Confectionery Taka, 5,000 and Taka 21,000 from three cosmetics shops of Rupali Mansion, report BSS.

One held, diesel seized in Pabna

PABNA, May 28 : A total of 39 barrels of diesel and kerosene worth about Taka eight lakh was seized and one person was arrested in this connection from Faridpur Upazila bazar on Sunday night. Acting on a tip-off, a team of police from Rhangura police station conducted a drive at the godown of one Dipak Kumar in Faridpur bazar and seized the barrels of diesel and kerosene. Police also arrested Dipak Kumar in this connection, report BSS.

Cocktails, bomb devices seized

NARAIL, May 28: Police recovered two cocktails and materials from beneath a haystack near the house of Kalam Sheikh at Kalabaria village under Naragati upazila of the district on Sunday.

Police and local said on a secret information a police team raided the area and recovered the cocktails and bomb materials. A case was filed with Naragati police station in this connection. report, BSS.