The New Nation - Internet Edition

Steps taken to cultivate BRRI-Dhan 33 to eradicate 'monga’

BSS, Gaibandha

'Uddyog', a local NGO, in cooperation with IC-Leaf Project has taken up a programme side by side with the Government to motivate the farmers to cultivate short-duration BRRI-Dhan 33 in the district during the current T-Aman season to eradicate Monga, poverty like situation from here.

Under this programme, special measures have been taken to ensure timely supply of seed of BRRI Dhan 33, fertiliser and pesticides including other inputs to the farmers, sources said.

As a part of the programme, seed distribution has already been started among the farmers on June 10. Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS), a reputed NGO, is providing the seed at a fair price.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Sadullapur M. Farid Ahammad formally inaugurated the seed distribution programme in the upazila on Tuesday as chief guest.

Presided over by M. Zillur Rahman Khandaker, executive director of Uddyog, the inaugural function was also addressed, among others, by President of Gaibandha Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shajada Anowarul Quadir, agriculture extension officer Abdus Sattar, representative of RDRS Nuruzzaman Miah, farmer Sada Miah and journalist Tajul Islam.

The speakers in the function said newly invented short term paddy farming technology by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRS) could also increase overall crop production with less cost and reduce risk of natural calamities during cultivation period.

M. Zillur Rahman, executive director of Uddyog, in his speech said four metric tonnes of seed of BRRI Dhan-33 would be sold among the farmers to cultivate 800 bighas of land of Sadullapur, Sundarganj and Sadar upazilas of the district during the current Aman season.

Talking to the BSS, Dr Abdul Majid, Principal Scientific Officer of BRRI, Rangpur Station, said the BRRI Dhan-33 could be harvested in only 115 to 118 days from the sowing of seed and about 40 to 60 days ahead of the normal harvesting period of transplanted Aman paddy.

The harvesting of the paddy could create job opportunities for the jobless day labourers during the Monga period of Aswin and Kartik months of Bangla year in poverty prone greater Rangpur district including Gaibandha, he also said.

Just after harvesting the BRRI Dhan-33 the farmers could also cultivate early variety vegetables including potato, mug dal, tomato, onion, garlic, maize, wheat and mustard to get maximum yield and prices, he further added.

In order to expand the farming of SBRRI Dhan-33 and to popularise it among the farmers, Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has also taken up a massive plan to cultivate 4000 hectares of high and medium high land of seven upazilas in the district during the current season, said deputy director of DAE ANM Mizanur Rahman Amin.

BADC has been given responsibility to sell quality seed of BRRI Dhan-33 to the farmers in the district to make the programme a success, he also said.

Various demonstration plots would be set up to motivate the farmers to cultivate it, he further said.

151 RU teachers demand release of Khaleda Zia

RU Correspondent

The 151 teachers of Rajshahi University (RU) on Thursday demanded immediate unconditional release of the BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia through a joint statement.

On the statement they mentioned that, The national election and dialogue will not be realistic while the chairperson of one of the large party, the most popular leader of the country, Begum Khaleda Zia is at jail. To increase the quality of politics of the country and to success the national dialogue, they demanded withdrawal of all cases against Begum Zia and immediate unconditional release of her.

Moreover, they urged to the government taking to Tarek Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko abroad for the better treatment.

Former Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University Professor Dr. Faisul Islam Faruqui, Former Vice Chancellor of Khulna University Professor Dr. Abdul Kader Bhuiyan, Former Vice Chancellor of Islami University Professor M. Rafikul Islam, President of RU Zia Parisod Professor Dr. M.Abdul Hamid, Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, Professor M. Nazrul Islam, Dr. M. A. Hasan and others were the signatories of the statement.

Serial dacoities committed at Kalkini, cash, valuables looted

Our Correspondent, Madaripur

Eight residential homes including a shop came under serial dacoities at Kalkini Upazila on three consecutive nights.

On the night of May 2 a gang of half pant worn dacoits numbering about 15/20 broke open the door of the home of Haji Mohammed Ishakuddin of village Khanduli under Kazi Bakai union. Entering the house the miscreants held the inmates of the house hostage, looted taka 31 thousand, 4 tolas of gold ornaments, 1 mobile phone set, 1 rechargeable light. On the other hand, on the same night a gang of dacoits broke open the door of the house of Syed Modabbar Ali of village, held the inmates hostage, looted taka 7 thousand 2 tolas of gold ornaments, 1 mobile set, 1 rechargeable light and valuable fabrics.

On the night of April 30, some dacoits entered the house of Syed Nahid of village Bashgari of the same upazila and looted valuables including cash amounting to taka 17 thousand, the dacoits also looted shuttergun. On the same night the dacoits looted taka 20 thousand from the shop of one Ponkoz at Dakkhin Bashgari village.

On the night of May 1 in the village Dakkhin Ramjanpur the dacoits committed dacoity in the house of Siddique Howlader, Abul Rari, Zakir Hossain came under dacoity and the dacoits looted cash worth about taka 3 lakh and other valuables.

On the same night the dacoits entered the house of one expatriate in Spain Majid Howlader and looted goods amounting to taka 35 thousand and other valuables.

The villagers of there villages are passing their nights amid panic of dacoity.

The chairman of Kazi Bakai union Ishakuddin Talukder helplessly said that he was unable do ensure the security to villagers as he himself is the victim of dacoity. Rafique Islam, the OC of Kalkini police station said that he patralled the previous night with his force.

But just after the completion of the patral duty the dacoities were committed. It seemed that the dacoits observed our movement, he added.

3 extortionists held with arms in Rangamati

Our Correspondent, Rangamati

The Army from Rangamati sadar zone conducting a special drive at Bara Kattali area held three alleged extortionists and seized different accessories including a local-made gun (LG) used for extortion in the early hours on Wednesday, sources concerned said here on Thursday.

Being informed, three Army teams conducted drive at Vengichhara area under Eara Kattali at around 4 and detained Sonar Shari Chakma, 27 alias Poresh, son of Purna Chakra Chakma of Kattali village, Borpeda Chakma, 16, son of Rabidas Chakma of Kattali Boradam village under Langadu Upazila and Mitan Dewan, 21, alias Rikan, of village Kushomachhari under Barkal Upazila in the district.

Apart from the gun, the Army seized three empty cartridges, one-sword, four knives of different sizes, three bags, 4 seals, one torch light, 10 receipt books, 6 note books, 2 negatives, 14 pictures, three telephone index, six form of Baira and Home Land Insurance, sources added.

"We were compelled to collect money illegally by leaders of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), in the name of movement for Chittagong Hill Tracts, the young alleged extortionists told journalists. The detainees with the seized goods will be handed over to police for following legal action, sources said.

34 held on various charges in Rangpur

BSS, Rangpur

Police arrested a total of 34 persons including notorious criminals on different charges from various places of all eight upazilas in the district during the past 24 hours till 12 noon today.

Police said the arrested persons included listed terrorists, murderers, drug smugglers, traffickers and peddlers, addicts, gamblers, absconding accused persons in different cases, rapists, thieves, extortionists and other anti-social elements.

Police also recovered huge quantities of narcotic substances including ganja, Phensidyl, locally produced wine, stolen and robbed goods and other illegal things during the drives.

Police arrested drug traffickers Sahabul with four-gram heroin and Sirajul Islam with 35 bottles Phensidyl, absconding murderers Manjurul Abedin, Mahbubur Rahman and Mohammad Ali from different parts of the district in the raids.

Kotwali police arrested 10 persons, Taraganj three, Gangachara four, Badarganj five, Mithapukur five, Pirganj three and Kawnia police arrested four persons during the period. The arrested persons were sent to jail hajat when police produced them before different Rangpur courts today, police said.

Navy New Entry Sailors passing out parade held

The passing out parade marking the induction of a batch of New Entry Sailors of Bangladesh Navy was held at BNS Titumir parade ground, Khulna on Thursday.

Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam reviewed the smartly turned out parade and took salute at the impressive march past. He also distributed awards among the outstanding New Entry Sailors. M Zakir Hossain, DE/UC was adjudged the best all round New Entry Sailor in SSC group and was awarded with the coveted Cup of the Chief of the Naval Staff, while M Saiful Islam, DE/CAT-2/UT received the Titumir cup as the best sailor in non SSC group.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief of Naval Staff called upon the New Entry Sailors to make the best use to the valuable training which they obtained from the New Entry School of BNS Titumir to build themselves as worthy sailors to discharge any responsibility in future. He directed the BN personnel to put in their best to protect the maritime boundary of the country and to safeguard the valuable marine resources scattered on our vast sea area.

He also urged the Navy personnel to curb the menace of smuggling, piracy and illegal catching of fish with an iron hand. The spectacular parade was witnessed among others by Principal Staff Officers of Naval Headquarters, Commodore Commanding Khulna and local high civil and military officials.

One gets life for killing wife in Jamalpur

BSS, Jamalpur

A court here yesterday sentenced one person to life term rigorous imprisonment for killing his wife in 1999 at Polisha village under Maderganj upazila in the district.

Court sources said Tofil Uddin Mondal strangulated his wife Jharna Begum on July 3, 1999 over a family feud and dumped the body in a nearby ditch of his house.

Later, victim's relatives recovered the body and filed a case with Moderganj thana.

After investigation police submitted the charge sheet.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Sirajul Islam after examining 12 witnesses and relevant documents found him guilty and handed down the verdict.

The court also fined him Taka 10,000 in default, to suffer another six months imprisonment.

Training course on sub-stipend project held in Bhurungamari

BSS, Bhurungamari

A day-long training on implementation of the ongoing sub-stipend project successfully at primary level and building social awareness was held at Bhurungamari Upazila Parishad auditorium in Kurigram on Tuesday.

Bhurungamari Upazila Primary Education Office organised the training course for headmasters, members of the school managing committees and chiefs of the Ebtedayee Madrasas.

Chaired by Acting Upazila Education Officer Mokhlesur Rahman, the training course was attended by Bhurungamari UNO Dipak Ranjan Adhikari as the chief guest.

Headmasters and chiefs of primary schools, Madrasas and school managing committee members and a number of guardians took part in the course.

One alleged terrorist held in Naogaon

Our Correspondent, Naogaon

Acting on a tip-off, Raninagar Thana police, led by O.C. Rafiul Alam arrested one terrorist from his residence, at Rajapur village, at dead of night, recently.

The arrested person was identified as Asaduzzaman Pintoo (42), one member of under-ground party, who is son of Altab Hossain.

He was wanted by the Court in connection with seven cases including one murdered case also.

News Briefs

Youth killed by BSF in Jhenidah

Jhenidah, June 12: A Bangladeshi youth was shot dead by Indian Border Security Force at Gopalpur village in Moheshpur upazila along the border Thursday morning. The dead was identified as Samaul, 28, son of Kitabudin. BDR sources said BSF troops of Mosompur camp fired bullets towards Bangladesh border when Samaul was walking near the border pillar no. 49 in the early morning, leaving him dead on the spot. BSF men dragged away the body into the Indian territory, report UNB.

Forest dacoit held with arms

Bagerhat, June 12: Rapid Action Battalion arrested a ringleader of a robber gang along with six firearms and bullets from Shoronkhola range in the Sunderbans here Wednesday. RAB-6 sources said they nabbed gang leader of 'Kabir Bahini' Kabir Hossain and recovered six firearms and 48 rounds of bullet from the forest as per his confessional statement. The arms and ammunition were deposited to Sharankhola thana, report UNB.

Mobile court realises Tk 54,000 fine in Sylhet

Sylhet, June 12: A mobile court realised Tk 54,000 in fine from eight restaurants in the city for serving stale and adulterated foods on Wednesday. Bangladesh Standard Testing Institution conducted the drive, led by executive magistrate Alauddin Ali, in Chouhatra and Laldighirpar areas and realized the fine. The court also fined a mango seller for cheating in weight. Some 27 smokers were also fined Tk 50 each for smoking in public places, report UNB.

Teak timber seized

Comilla, June 12: The staff of Suaganj Forest Station seized a truck loaded with teak timber worth Tk 6 lakh and arrested two people in Daudkandi upazila Wednesday morning. Acting on a secret information, the officials and employees of the forest station of Social Forest Department chased the Dhaka-bound truck. Later, they halted the truck near Shahidnagar in Daudkandi upazila and recovered 300 cft of teak timber from it. The officials also arrested truck driver Abdul Alam, 25, and helper Jahangir Alam, 24, in this connection, report UNB.

Mango exhibition held in C'nawabganj

Chapainawabganj, June 12: A mango exhibition was held at local Mango Research Institute here Tuesday. Bangladesh Agriculture Institute organized the fair where the mango growers also gathered. Executive Director of the Institute Harun-ur-Rashid was the chief guest at the function with Dr Anwar Iqbal Khan in the chair. Various species of delicious mangoes were displayed in the fair, report UNB.

Paddy procurement drive starts in Bandarban

Bandarban, June 12: The government's paddy procurement drive formally started in the district on Wednesday with a target to purchase 320 metric tons of paddy during the current season. Deputy Commissioner M Abdul Majid Shah Akand inaugurated the drive at Food Godown area in the morning. On the first day, the officials purchased 2.80 tons of paddy at the rate of Tk 18 per kg, report UNB.

2 minor children drown in Comilla

Comilla, June 11: Two minor children drowned in a pond at Barora village in Debidwar upazila Tuesday morning.

The dead were identified as Sharif, 3, son of Osman Mia and Safia, 3, daughter of Osman's brother Salam Mia.

Family sources said both the children were playing near a pond of their house at about 7am and one stage, they went missing. Nearly one hour later their floating bodies were found in the pond, report UNB.