The New Nation - Internet Edition

Seismic awareness on the rise : High-rise apartment business record low in Chittagong

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

With port city's location in the active seismic zone, frequent earthquakes under the influence of moving sub-soil crust-plate and the ongoing economic recession have allegedly dropped multistoried apartment and real estate business drastically in the port city, according to leading developers.

Only a handful among 50 plus apartment builders cum real-estate companies in the city is struggling hard for being in the business by applying cleverly formulated marketing strategy.

It is learnt that many of the real-estate companies have been facing tremendous financial hardship due to the ongoing recession.

"We never have predicted such an ugly time. If the scenario doesn't change soon, the budding real-estate sector may have to suffer permanent wound," an official of a leading developer said.

Pointing finger to desperate moves for catching customers by different real-estate companies and apartment builders through increased volume of newspaper advertisements, a senior architect said that there was a time when one or two newspaper commercials was enough to sell 25 - 30 unit-complex far before beginning of construction.

"Buyers used to pay even total price of their apartment two years before the project implementation. But, now many readymade apartments are remaining unsold for want of potential buyers," he added. He also hinted that saturation of market and the drive against black money also responsible for this dull situation.

Local entrepreneurs considering importance and future prospect of the port city undertook high-rise residential apartment projects in late 80s. Overnight, it became popular to relatively wealthier section of the society apart from expatriates because of growing demand for well-organized residential accommodation.

Many in the real-estate business believed that the high-rise apartment business took a downward ride when mass media began campaign for earthquake safety, construction quality of the buildings and pushed the idea of international certification on earthquake resistance structures.

Buyer's preference for staying close-to-ground and relatively earthquake resistant and safer accommodations has forced many under-construction high-rise commercial cum apartment complexes in the city and its suburbs to become abandoned.

An earthquake researcher in the port city said that the drastic fall of high-rise apartment business was an indicator to growing awareness of the buyers on seismic hazards.

This has not only thrown hundreds of construction workers out of employment but also blocked individual investments of several hundred million as majority of the developers depend on customers' advance payment for implementing their projects.

"The amount may become double by now if I put it on saving certificate instead of paying advance for an apartment to be built after four years," an aggrieved apartment buyer said.

Social awareness to fight HIV/AIDS underscored

BSS, Sirajganj

Speakers at a day-long meeting at Mohasthangarh in Shibganj upazila of Bogra stressed the need for taking joint efforts for preventing HIV/AIDS.

They also called for awareness-building campaign, particularly among the vulnerable groups, to check spreading of the deadly disease and also trafficking of women and children. VCO, a local NGO, with assistance of Padokhkhep, organised the meeting titled 'HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme and the Youth Community' at VCO office at Mohasthangarh here on Monday. Chaired by President of the NGO Abdul Baset, the meeting was attended by UNO of Shibganj upazila Habibul Haque Khan as the chief guest.

Shibganj Upazila Youth Development Officer Khademul Islam, Upazila Social Welfare officer Saiful Islam and Roynagar UP chairman Abdul Khaleque were present as special guests. Government officials, Executive Director of VCO Sadekur Rahman, social and NGO workers Abu Taher, Abdul Jalil, Ekramul Haque, Ruhul Amin, women development activists Bilkis Begum, Hasina Begum, Bakul Begum, Momena Begum, Nur Banu, Romicha Begum, among others, addressed it.

Upazila level government officials, teachers, UP chairmen and members, NGO officials, socio-cultural workers, journalists, community leaders and human rights activists took part. The speakers recommended for bringing schools, colleges and other educational institutions under the campaign to make students and younger generations aware about the danger of HIV/AIDS and human trafficking.

Repair of Sidr-hit roads in Patuakhali uncertain due to poor allocation

Our Correspondent, Patuakhali

The repairing work of damaged flood control dam at Sidr-hit areas of seven upazilas in Patuakhali district has become uncertain as WDB (Water Development Board) has been allocated Tk 7.25 crore against demand for Taka 110 crore. With the poor allocation, the local authority started to repair 78 kilometres embankment and two sluice gets this year.

"We have submitted an emergency PP (Proposed Plan) of Tk 110 crore to the higher authority just after cyclone Sidr for repairing damaged embankment. But they sanctioned Tk 7.25 crore only in two separate installments i.e. Tk. 1.88 crore in 1st installment and Tk 5.37 crore in 2nd installment", "Md Zahir Uddin, Executive Engineer of Patuakhali WDB told this correspondent.

Yet with the amount, we have already taken step to repair 78 kilometres out of 645 km damaged embankment and two sluice gates. The repiar work is going on in full swing, he added.

According to WDB office in Patuakhali, 645 kilometres out of 1,209 kilometres flood control embankment were damaged by the cyclone SIDR on November 15 in 2007.

Of its 83 km was damaged completely while 562km partially. In addition, 355 out of 412 sluice gates, 612 inlets, 362 irrigation schemes and 24 closure were also damaged in the hurricane. There were damaged crops of 1.70 lakh hectares Gazi Salam, a farmer of Sundra Kalikapur village under Mirzagonj Upazila in the district said, 'My Aman paddy on 2 acres of land was damaged. We will try to recover the loss during the coming Aush."

Our agricultural land is being flooded by salty water rising from the nearby rivers as many parts of flood control dam on paieera river bank are yet to be repaired," Nuru Gazi, another farmer of same village said.

'We have no need of relief but we demand steps to repair dam that we can cultivate our land during the coming rainy season,' farmer Sajahan Howlader added.

11 killed in road mishaps in Mymensingh, Barisal

BSS, Mymensingh

Four persons were killed as an oil tanker skidded off the road while the under repair tanker slipped out of the screw jack near Seed Store under Bhaluka upazila in the district on Wednesday afternoon.

The dead were identified as Rafique, 28, son of Jobed Ali of Trishal, Arif, 20, son of Khelu Miah of Akua, Mymensingh, Sohel, 28, son of Nayeb Ali of Trishal and Golap, 26, son of Ahmad Ali of Trishal.

Police said a Mymensingh-bound oil tanker from Dhaka has gone out of order near Seed Store at Bhaluka yesterday afternoon. To repair the tanker local mechanics were called and they started working in the evening.

At one stage, the oil tanker slipped out of the screw jack on which the tanker was balanced and four persons including the helper of the tanker died on the spot as it fell on them.

Police and locals recovered the bodies and sent them to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for autopsy. A case was filed with Bhaluka Police Station in this connection.

Meanwhile, at least seven persons were killed and another two injured by lighting in the Southern Districts on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sources said Mohammad Mostafa, 15, son of Abul Kalam of Golaghat village under Bamna upazila of Barguna was killed by thunderbolt when he was playing in field on Wednesday.

Besides, Maina Akhter, 30, wife of Matin Hawlader of Kakchira village, Munira, 14, daughter of Ansar Khan of Gudighata village and Babu, 40, of Bamna village under Bamna of Barguna district were also killed by lighting on Wednesday when they were working in the field.

One Alfoo Begum, 20, and Kamal Hossain, 19, were also injured in the lightning. Two cows were also killed by the thunderbolt while grazing in the field.

On the other hand, Hanif Bux, 27, of Shialkathi village under Babuganj upazila was killed by lighting at 3.30 PM on Tuesday, the source added. One Khokon, 16, of Dakkhin Rawja village under Amtali upazila of Barguna district was killed by thunderbolt on Tuesday when he was working in the field.

Besides, another Rafiqul Islam, 45, of Uttar Sakuchia village under Monpura upazila of Bhola district was also killed by lightning on Tuesday evening.

26 shops gutted, property worth Tk 1cr damaged

Our Correspondent, Barisal

A devastating fire gutted at least 26 shops and establishments worth 1 crore taka at Kauria Bandar under Guabaria union of Hizla upazila of Barisal district on Friday noon.

Tamizul Islam, assistant commissioner of upazila land administration and Matiur Rahman, officer in charge of Hizla police station after visiting the spot said that fire instigated from an electric short circuit at a mattress and bedding shop of Nuru Mia at the Bandar at about 1:00 pm Friday noon.

In absence of fire service in the region local peoples using power pumps of a road repairing project and agricultural irrigation controlled and extinguished the flame at about 3:00 pm.

Twenty six shops and establishments like grocery , restaurant, stationary, medicine, bedding, cloth, readymade garments, cosmetics,cofectionary gutted in this fire and road communications on Hizla-Muladi road disrupted during the fire fighting.

Eight peoples received minor injuries during their attempt for extinguishing fire and received first aid at upazila health complexes.

Discussion on resisting human trafficking held in Magura

Our Correspondent, Magura

A discussion meeting on Role of Advocate in resisting trafficking of child and women and how the victim can be rehabilitated permanently was held at Hazrapur union office premises on June 2 morning.

Local advocates, Journalists, teachers numbering about 100, participated and shared opinion in the discussion.

Chairman Hazrapur UP Md Mufizduzzaman took chair as president over the discussion.

Advocate Amena Begum, Advocate and journalist Nazimul Islam Siddiqui local agriculturist Waliar Rahman spoke on the occasion. It was organised by Bangladeshi Jatiya Mahila Ainjibi Samity. Journalist Shamim Ahmed Khan conducted the programme.

35 including listed terrorist arrested in Bagerhat

BSS, Bagerhat

Police arrested 35 people including one listed terrorist in a special drive from different places of the district on Tuesday night.

Police said, one listed terrorist named Shahid Sheikh, 32, was arrested from Palpara under Kachuya upazila. Police Superintendent of Bagerhat district AKM Shahidul said the special dive has been started to arrest terrorists and JMB members as well as to recover arms and drugs. Over 800 police took part in the drive.

The sources said, after interrogation, the arrested were sent to the court.

Tk 14.04 lakh maternity allowance distributed in Narsingdi

BSS, Narsingdi

A total of 780 destitute mothers in four upazilas of the district have received their maternity allowance for the first time under the Maternity Allowance programme introduced by the government in July, 2007. Official sources said women affairs department of the district has disbursed a sum of Taka 14.04 lakh among 780 poor mothers covering six months (July-December 2007) in four upazilas of the district.

Each of the mothers has received Taka 1,800 as a rate of monthly allowance Taka 300.

Of the total allowance, Taka 2.97 lakh was distributed among 165 mothers in 11 unions of Monohardi upazila, Taka 2.16 lakh among 120 mothers in 8 unions of Belabo upazila, Taka 2.43 lakh among 135 mothers in 9 unions of Shibpur upazila and Taka 6.84 lakh among 380 mothers in 24 unions at Raipura upazila.

One killed by lightning in Barguna

BSS, Barguna

One farmer was killed by lighting at village Charmontay under Golachipa upazila of Patuakhali district this morning.

The deceased was identified as Shahajahan Mia, 55, of the same village. Family members said, while Shahajahan was going to local market he became the victim of thunder clap and died on the spot.

Fugitive convict with life term arrested

BSS, Jessore

A fugitive convict with life term has been arrested on Wednesday from Jhikargacha upazila of the district.

Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Azizur Rahman (35), who has been absconding for years with a conviction of life term imprisonment in a drug trafficking case in Faridpur district. Aziz, son of Moksed Ali of Bangda village, has been arrested from village Churamankathi on the midnight of Wednesday. On a separate drive, police recovered two locally made pipe-guns and a bullet kept underground near the bathroom of Ansar Ali of village Nirbaskhola Dumuria under Jhikargacha upazila on early Wednesday.

However, none was arrested in this connection.

News Briefs

BNP leader arrested in Sylhet

SYLHET, June 8: Joint forces arrested a BNP leader from a house at Upashahar residential area of the city on Tuesday midnight. The arrested was identified as Syed Moinuddin Sohel, publicity secretary of City BNP. Police said Sohel was a listed terror and wanted in a number of arms, extortion, land grabbing and other criminal cases. He recently returned from his hideout, they added. Another report from Sunamganj adds: Police arrested a ward commissioner of Chhatak pourashava from Paper Mill Bazar area in the district town on Tuesday, reports UNB.

Road crash kills

youth at Dinajpur

DINAJPUR, June 8: A young man was killed in a road accident at Gopalganj in Sadar Upazila Tuesday morning. The deceased was identified as Anisur Rahman, 25, son of Najimuddin of village Rasulshahapur in Biral upazila. Police and witnesses said Anisur was run over by a speeding bus while going to a local market. He was killed on the spot. A case was filed with the local police station, reports UNB.

Three killed in

Sirajganj road

mishap

SIRAJGANJ June 8: Three people were killed and 30 others injured in a fatal road accident at Bhuiyan ghat in Salanga thana here early Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Shukur Ali, 35, and Abdul Quddus, 36, of Moulvibazar district and Nayan 36, of Rahmatganj village in Sadar upazila of Sirajganj. Police and witness said the accident occurred at about 4am when a Syedpur-bound bus of Keya Paribahanf rom Dhaka collided head-on with a fish-laden Bogra-bound truck from Mymensingh, killing the three passengers on the spot and injuring 30 others. The bodies were sent to Sadar hospital morgue for autopsy, reports UNB.

Two school students drown in Chandpur

CHANDPUR, June 8: Two school students drowned in separate incidents in the district on Sunday. Family sources said Mohammad Limon, a student of class IX of Chandpur Govt. Model High School, along with his three classmates went to have a bath in the Dakatia river inNatun Bazar are of the distric town at a round 1:30pm. As they jumped into the river from a sand-laden ship, Limon, only son of Abdul Kadir of Sriramdi area, went missing but his classmates managed to swim ashore, reports UNB.

Drug peddler held with 2 kg hemp

in Benapole

BENAPOLE (Jessore), June 8: Police arrested a drug peddler and recovered 2 kgs of hemp fromhis possession Lawtara crossing here on Monday evening. Police said they challenged Mohiuddin, 24, when he was moving suspiciously in the area and recovered the hemp kept in a sack. Theys aid the drug peddler hailed from Namaj village was involved with drug smuggling since long. A case was filed in this connection. Another reports from Sirajganj adds: A team of RAB-12 recovered 44 bottles Indian Phensidyl syrup from compartment of Dhaka bound Padma Express train coming from Rajshahi at Sadanandapur rail stationin Sadar upazila on Tuesday morning, reports UNB.