The New Nation - Internet Edition

1500 drum seeders remain unused in Barisal godowns for last 2 years

Our Correspondent, Barisal

More than fifteen hundred drum-seeders worth Tk.50 lakhs remained unused since last two years and on the way of out of order in the goodown of regional agriculture department beyond the knowledge of the farmers of 11 districts.

Barisal regional office of agriculture extension department and other related sources acknowledging the facts said that agriculture department procured 1560 drum seeder worth Tk. 53 lakhs taka in 2006 for using developed cultivation method by planting seed. With drum-seeders.

It was decided that from June 20, 2006 these drum-seeders would be given to the farmers of eleven districts under Barisal agricultural region at the price of Tk.2, 000 per drum-seeder through the upazila agriculture offices.

Accordingly 202 drum-seeders for Barisal, 57 for Jhalakati, 216 for Pirojpur, 116 for Patuakhali, 111 for Barguna, 59 for Bhola, 200 for Faridpur, 83 for Gopalganj, 204 for Madaripur, 275 for Rajbari and 37 drum-seeders for Shariatpur district allotted and handed over within a short time.

A lot of money and time was wasted for supplying these drum-seeders to upazila level agriculture offices, but not distributed among the farmers due to their ignorance about using this equipment.

Barisal AED office sources said that union level field workers of agriculture department failed to motivate the farmers for purchasing and using drum-seeders to save time, money and labor of seed plantation and use develop cultivation methods.

In the mean time many drum-seeders damaged, some went out of order as laid unused in godowns with damp and humidity.

Deputy director in charge of Barisal AED said that more propagation, motivation and training about using methods and benefits of drum-seeders as well as easy termed loans for purchasing this equipment need to be provided for the farmers.

ASA distributes health grant in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

A function on health assistance disbursement and classified loan affairs organised by ASA, a micro finance provider, was held at its regional office at Bonarpara under Shaghata upazila in the district on June 5.

Gullal Singh, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) addressed the function as chief guest and Principal of Bonarpara Degree College Abdul Matin Khandaker was present as special guest, sources said.

Presided over by M Golam Kibria, District Manager of ASA, the function was also addressed among others, by Padumshahar UP Chairman Mafizul Haque, journalist Moniruzzaman Bulen and regional manager of ASA, Abu Sayeed. District manager in his speech sought cooperation of all including Administration to recover the classified loans from the defaulters.

The UNO in his speech assured the ASA officials to give his administrative assistance to run their programmes here peacefully.

Later, UNO distributed health grant and insurance claim to the beneficiaries and classified loanees. Officers and employees of ASA, local elite, public representatives and the journalists were present on the occasion.

Farmers can increase food production through utilising talents

BSS, Panchagarh

Country Director of the United Nations (UN) here Aad Spikers has said that people and farmers could increase food production through utilising their hard work and talents to meet the food deficit in Bangladesh. The recent worldwide food crisis has been created because of the shortfall in food production in Ukraine, Australia, The Philippines and some other countries last year due to droughts and natural calamities, he said.

The UN country director said this while inaugurating crop-cutting ceremony of Sonar Bangla six-hybrid variety paddy at the field of farmer Majibur Rahman at village Kumartul under Tentulia upazila in Panchagarh district on Friday.

The ceremony, chaired by Tentulia Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamal Kumar Sarker, was organized on the occasion there. FAO Consultant Loreto Novelli, Dr Shahidul Islam of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) from Dhaka, FAO Programme Officer Sheikh Ahaduzzaman, Additional Director of the DAE, Rangpur Zone Abdur Rouf, Deputy Directors of DAE Zahedul Islam and AKM Jahangir were present.

The UN Country Director expressed his satisfaction after observing the lifestyle and rearing of heads of cattle at almost all households in the area and appreciated the laborious people of Panchagarh district. He also suggested the farmers to increase production of huge quantities of green vegetables, potato, maize, wheat and other crops side-by-side with increasing production of hybrid variety paddy to meet food crisis by locally produced food grains in the country.

Local farmers Yasin Ali and Habibur Rahman spoke on the occasion and narrated their experiences in cultivating hybrid variety paddy saying that farmers of the country could increase rice and other crop productions by and large in near future.

61 arrested on various charges in Rajshahi

BSS, Rajshahi

Police, in different anti-crime drives, arrested 61 alleged criminals including a UP member on various charges from different areas in city and nine upazilas of the district in last 24 hours till Saturday evening.

Of them, 13 were picked up from different areas in the metropolis while 48 others from nine upazilas of the district. Police arrested the UP member identified as Akbar Ali with 20 sacks of urea fertiliser while he was pilfering those during a raid at his Pananagar area under Durgapur upazila of the district.

Traffic police lodged 37 cases under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance during drives against the non-registered motor vehicles and other document-related malpractices in different parts of the city during the time.

Parents, children receive acid burn injuries in Satkhira

BSS, Satkhira

Parents and their two minor children have become victims of acid throwing as a sequel to long family disputes over land rights, Police said today.

The accident took place at Dhulihar village under Sadar Upazila of the district midnight on Wednesday last. The victims have been identified as Iman Ali (35), his wife Asma Khatun (24), minor son Al Amin (6) and 18-month-old daughter Khadiza Khatun.

Police said Iman's father has a long dispute over 16 bighas of land with neighbour Kalam Muhuri. According to first information report (FIR), Kalam Muhiri and his associates threw acid over the victims on the night while they were sleeping at the corridor.

Iman got burn injuries at the chest and throat, while wife Asma got injuries at left hand, son Amin at his legs and daughter Kahdiza received injuries at her left leg and face. The victims were admitted to Satkhira Sadar Hospital in early hours of the day.

Stipend, edn inputs distributed among aboriginal students

BSS, Ghoraghat

The Upazila Administration distributed sub-stipend money and other education inputs among the Aboriginal students of Ghoraghat upazila in Dinajpur district recently.

A simple ceremony was organised on the occasion at the upazila parishad auditorium where Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Ghoraghat Faruk Ahmed distributed the allocations among the aboriginal students of the chief guest.

Upazila level government officers of different departments, UP chairmen and members, leaders of the aboriginal communities in the upazila, civil society members, elite and journalists were present.

A total of Taka 2.40 lakh was distributed among 100 aboriginal students with Taka 2,400 to each as sub-stipend, Taka 50,000 among 50 aboriginal students with Taka 1,000 to each as education support allowances.

Besides, Taka one lakh was distributed among 100 aboriginal students with educational inputs worth Taka 700 and Taka 300 for purchasing the same to each of them in the ceremony.

Alleged terrors held in Sirajganj

Our Correspondent, Sirajganj

Two top terrors were arrested by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-12 from Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj district on Friday. RAB also recovered a pipe gun during the drive.

The arrested were identified as Bhutto Khan, 36, son of Chand Ali of Malsapara Mohollah in Sirajganj town and Helal Uddin, 30, son of Ayub Ali of Trifolagati village in Ullapara upazila.

The both are listed criminals and accused of more than one case for killing, robbery and kidnapping. They were absconding for long.

Acting on a tip off, RAB team rushed to Ullapara Baza'ar and in a raid arrested the terrors, while they were gathered there for a secret meeting.

On confessional statement of Bhutto, RAB also recovered a pipe gun from Swalop area near Rail Station after digging soil.

Training for senior police officers held in Rangpur

BSS, Rangpur

A day-long training course on functions of police including process of investigation expenses for senior police officials of all eight districts in greater Rangpur and Dinajpur was held at Rangpur Community Centre here on Tuesday.

Chaired by Superintendent of Police (SP) of Rangpur Hasib Aziz, the course was attended by Additional Inspector General of Police (Finance and Budget) Shahabuddin Koreshi from Police Headquarters at Dhaka as the chief guest.

Deputy Accountant General (DAG) from Dhaka MA Hawlader was present as special guest.

A total of 113 police officials from Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Panchagarh and Thakurgaon districts took part in the training course.

Fugitive murderer held in Rangamati

Our Correspondent, Rangamati

Police arrested a life term convicted fugitive accused from Ghagra area under Kawkhali upazila in the district on Saturday morning, Police said.

The arrestee, an accused of four cases including two murders, was identified as Dipon Chakma, 40, alias Dipu and Dilip, son of Indraketu Chakma of Badalchhari village under Kawkhali upazila. The delinquent involved in different unlawful cases including murder, abduction absconded from 2001, police said.

Being informed, police under the leadership of Mohamed Noor-e-Alam, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sadar circle) rushed to Ghagra area and arrested him, also a member of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), an anti-CHT accord organisation at 9.00 AM during extorting money from populace, source added.

Police produced the criminal before court and the court sent him to jail, court police said.

Community policing meet held in Magura

Our Correspondent, Magura

A week-long Magura community policing meet held here in biffiting manner, on the concluding day on 24th May at 4PM the concluding ceremony held at local polide line.

Police Super Magura Md Ali Hossain Faqur presided the function. Home Secretary Md Abdul Karim was the chief guest Commissioner Khulna Division and Deputy Commissioner Magura attended as special guests.

The meeting addressed among others, by Abdul Gofur, Chairman Magura Parada, Principal Mr Khan, Chairman Dist. Community Police and local elite of the town.

A huge member of people attended. The chief guest handed over prizes to 6 persons for good-duty. A colourful rally was followed by the meeting.

One receive acid burn injures in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

A man received injury from acid burning at sluice gate area near Mowlavir Hut Bazar of Hizla upazlia under Barisal district on Friday night.

The victim was identified as Kalachan Gachhua, 53, of Kalikapur under Guabaria union of Hizla and admitted at Hizla upzila health complex with acid burns on both hands.

The victim claimed that when he was returning home from bazaar, a group of masked people ambushed him from a road side betel leaf cultivation at about 11-:20 pm Friday night and fled away.

Shanti Rani Gachhua, wife of the victim, lodged a case as complainant with Hizla police station on Saturday without mentioning any name of accused or cause of throwing acid.

Dacoity committed in Naogaon

BSS, Naogaon

A dacoity was committed in a house at Madanchak village under Manda upazila of the district on Tuesday night.

Police said a gang of dacoits stormed into the house of one Afzal Hossain cutting grill of a window. The dacoits looted Taka 3.25 lakh, gold ornaments and valuables worth Taka about five lakh.

During the dacoity, 13 people including two women were injured as the dacoits hit them.

Of the injured, one was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical condition and others were admitted to Mohadebpur Health Complex.

Two shutter guns, bullets recovered in Jessore

BSS, Jessore

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in separate drives recovered two shutter guns and two bullets at Uttarbaropata and Kannadaho village under Sharsha upazila of the district on Thursday.

RAB sources said on secret information, a RAB team recovered one shutter gun and one bullet in an abandoned condition from Abdul Karim's mango garden at Uttar Baropata village.

In another drive RAB members recovered one shutter gun and one bullet from Abdul Khalek's bamboo garden at Kannadaho village.

Top terror held, arms recovered in Kishoreganj

Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

Detective Branch of Police arrested a top terrorist and vice president of Jatiyabadi Chhatra Dal (JCO) Kishoreganj district unit from Hybetnagar in the town on Saturday night.

A team of DB Police led by ASP Liton Shaha and SI Habibullah Khan raided the area and arrested Masudur Rahman Pullab (32). DB recovered one light-gun and four bullets from his possession.

Police said Pullab was a listed terrorist and wanted in extension charges.

News briefs

Wife kills sexagenarian husband in Sylhet

SYLHET, June 9: A sexagenarian man was allegedly killed by his second wife sometime during Thursday night in Kanaighat upazila of the district. The deceased was identified as Tayeb Ali, 60, of village Bashbari in Jhingabari union of the upazila. Police sources said that some members of Tayeb Ali's family found him dead in his bed on Friday morning from head injury and tried to hide the matter. As they were arranging burial of the body at 5 pm, a local source tipped the police. Police immediately rushed to the spot and recovered the body at 6 pm. They also took Tayeb Ali's wife, Kamala Banu, to the thana for interrogation, reports UNB.

4 held with fuel oil in Bagerhat

BAGERHAT, Jun 9: Navy men arrested four people along with 350 litres of fuel oil from Mongla port ferry ghat area on Saturday. Navy sources said acting on a tip-off, they raided the ghat area in the morning and arrested them red handed while pilfering oil. Sources said that an organized gang is engaged in pilfering fuel oil from different vessels in the ghat area since long. Meanwhile, in a special anti-crime drive, police arrested 28 people from different parts of the nine upazilas of the district Friday night, reports UNB.

Body recovered

JESSORE, June 9: A man was found dead in a drain in front of the police super office in the district town on Thursday evening. On information, police recovered the body of Habib Ahmed Siddiqui Chanchal, 32, son of Akter Siddiqui of Mission para in the town, and sent it to the District General Hospital morgue for autopsy. Witnesses said Chanchal fell into the drain when he was trying to escape after being chased by some people. Victim's family, however, claimed that it was a preplanned murder. The police have already started investigation and said the reason behind the death of the young man would be unearthed soon, reports UNB.

Two food godowns lying abandoned

SUNAMGANJ, Jun 9: Two food godowns with a capacity of 1100 metric tones, out of eight, in Jamalganj upazila, have been lying in abandoned condition for the last 15 years. Food official Abdul Gafur said with the renovation of the two dilapidated godowns government could collect more food grains than the target. He said the government has fixed a target of collecting 839 metric tons of paddy and 323 metric tons of rice for the six godowns. According to the sources, collection of food grains at Sachna Food Godown is being hampered due to manpower crisis as the post of 18 officials and employees have been lying vacant since long, reports UNB.

Phensidyl recovered

COMILLA, June 9: A special team of RAB arrested a drug peddler along with 500 bottles of phensidyl syrup and 25 kgs of hemp from Sreepur Kaneshtala area of Sadar Dakkhin upazila Thursday night. RAB sources said the team arrested M Shawkat Ali Shapan, 32, and also recovered the phensidyl and hemp from his possession. Shapan was involved in drug smuggling and peddling since long, the sources said, reports UNB.

Listed terrorist held

JESSORE, June 9: Police arrested listed terrorist from Hudhapara village under Chowgachha upazila of the district on Saturdayl. Police said, the arrested was identified as Giausuddin, 32, sonof Mobarok Biswasd of the same village. Acting on a tip-off, a team of the police raided the village and arrested him, reports BSS.