The New Nation - Internet Edition

Steps taken to re-excavate Chankhali canal to boost salt, agri production

BSS, Chittagong

Bangladesh Water Develop-ment Board (BWDB) has taken a project to re-excavate Chankhali khal (canal), one of the important canals in the southern part of Chittagong during the next dry season.

WDB officials said the government has allocated Taka 1.35 crore for re-digging nearly 2.06 km of the canal stretching from north side of the Karnaphuli river to south side of Sangu river.

Sources said the objective of the project is to restore smooth communication through the river route for ensuring proper growth of traditional salt industry on both sides of the canal in Indarpool area in Patiya and to promote agriculture by bringing more lands under irrigation progr-amme in the area. Apart from a good number of small and cottage industries, 40 salt industries are located at the Indarpool industrial zone which are mainly dependent on the water route for transporting their raw materials as well as finished products.

At least 10 thousand workers depend directly or indirectly on salt industries. Besides, farmers of West Patiya used to grow crops using the water of the canal during the dry season.

But the canal became narrow and lost its navigability due to siltation and lack of proper maintenance threatening both the water transportation and agriculture of the area.

Abdul Mannan Khan, Sub-Divisional Engineer of WDB, Patiya zone told BSS that they are taking necessary preparation to start the work of the project once the rainy season is over.

Prof. Harun-Ur-Rashid, President of Indrapool Salt Industries Owners Association (ISIOA) said production cost has been increased significantly as they have to use alternative water route to bring raw materials from Moheshkhali, Cakaria upazilas in Cox's Bazar district and Banshkhali upazila in the district due to narrowing of the Chankhali canal.

He said salt crushing industries in Indarpool area have been producing one-fourth of the country's total salt production. Locals said apart from helping the local salt industries, the re-excavation of the canal would boost agriculture production in the area.

Proper knowledge for building genuine teaching capacities underscored

BSS, Rangpur

Speakers at a day-long training workshop here have said that appropriate knowledge and techniques for building genuine teaching capacities of the teachers are essential to flourishing talents of the educationists.

They said this at the workshop titled "Improved Methods for Teaching Mathematics and English" organised by Rangpur Teachers' Training College (RTTC) under the financial assistances of the Canadian International Development Authorities (CIDA) at RTTC auditorium recently.

The best teacher of the district Nazibar Rahman, who is also Headmaster of Gopalpur Hamidia High School in Mithapukur upazila, attended the workshop as the chief guest while Senior Advisers of the Canadian CSR Project Mrs Zakera Rahman and Tofazzal Hossain conducted the workshop as trainers. All Presidents of the School Managing Committees (SMCs), its Vice-Presidents and Assistant Headmasters of 45 selected educational institutions from all eight upazilas in the district, took part in the training workshop.

The senior trainers imparted proper knowledge and techniques on teaching Mathematics and English to the pupils of class six and seven at the secondary level educational institutions in the district.

The chief guest while delivering his concluding speech said that the ongoing CIDA assisted CSR Project has been playing an important role in improving the standard of English and Mathematics education during the past two and a half years in the country.

Seacom’s office in Ctg vandalized

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

A group of miscreants stormed the office of Seacom Group at city's commercial hub Agrabad and looted valuables including Taka 270 thousands in cash after wounding dozen of workers on Thursday afternoon.

The miscreants quit the scene after picking up Sarwar Uddin Sagor, a director of the company. He was released after physical assault. Police so far detained 33 people in connection with the incident.

Sources said that the a group of people numbering about 50 stormed the office of Seacom Group owned by Amirul Haque, director of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Of the injured officials, Sarwar Uddin Sagor was sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for treatment and others were given first aid at nearby clinics.

Amirul Haque, also a director of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) held some berth operators responsible behind the incident.

He also said that persons, those are opposing reforms in Chittagong Port, might have committed the incident.

Leaders of the CCCI including its President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury visited the spot immediately after the incident.

They condemned the incident and demanded immediate action against the culprits involved in the attack.

On the other hand, leaders of Bangldesh Master Stevedores Association (BMSA) in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Chairman Shah Mohammed Hasan expressed concern over the incident and urged intervention of Home Secretary and Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) to find out the culprits involved in the attack.

HSC examinee kidnapped in Narail

Our Correspondent, Narail

Mostaque Ahmed Sabuj, a HSC examinee of this year, has been kidnapped on Saturday July 5. Sabuj, 18, son of Anwar Hossain of village Narial of Narail Pourasava, a brilliant student of Narail Government Victoria College who got GPA-5 in SSC has not yet completed his HSC examination. Meanwhile he has been kidnapped by some terrorists of the town.

A case has been filed with Narail Sadar Police Station by Mrs. Khadija Anwar, mother of Mostaque in this connection. In her allegation she says, on Saturday afternoon, July 5, Akkach Bisas, 40, Yaar Biswas 30, Shashwato, 18 and some of their accomplices kidnapped Sabuj from the Muchirpol area of the town and demanded Tk 50,000 as ransom. Police arrested the main accused Akkach Biswas, son of Moksed Biswas of village Bhoakhali.

Rumon, Masud elected President, Secy of N’ganj Press Club

Rumon Reja (Janakantha) and Abu Saud Masud (Amar Desh) have been elected President and General Secretary respectively of Narayanganj Press Club at a bi-ennial election of the club recently, says a press release.

The other office executives are: Vice-President Nafis Ashraf (NTV), Joint Secretary-Hassanuzzaman Shamim (Nayadiganta), Treasurer-AKM Matfuzur Rahman (BTV), Sports and Cultural Secretary-Sharif Uddin Sabur (Jugantor). The working member are: Khondar Shah Alam, (Swadhin Bhashi) Hatim Rahman Mintu (Destiny), Bimal Roy (ETV) Monirul Islam (Bangladesh Observer) and Billal Hossain Robin (Manab Jamin).

Two thieves lynched in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

Two thieves were killed by mass beating at Uttarpara of Borni village under Tungipara Upazila of Gopalgnaj recently.

The two thieves committed theft of a residence of one Binoy Kumar Biswas at Uttarpara of Borni village when they entered the residence of Binoy Kumar Biswas by cutting grill. The house owners rose from sleep and saw the thieves in stealing position and caught the two thieves and shouted thens hundreds of villagers came and they beat the thieves.

As a result two thieves were seriously injured. The village defence police recovered the seriously injured thieves but they died on the way to Gopalganj Sadar hospital.

The two thieves are identified as Awlad Hossain Biswas (42) and Eiar Ali Jomerdar, both of village Borni under Tungipara upazila of Gopalganj district.

A UD case was filed with Tungipara PS in this connection.

Sugarcane farmers in Joypurhat to get Tk 6.5 cr subsidy

BSS, Joypurhat

A views exchange meeting between the executives of the BSFIC and sugarcane farmers was held at Joypurhat Sugar Mill Officers Club on Sunday.

Presided over by Mofakkharul Islam, managing director of the mill, the meeting was attended by Mokhlesur Rahman, Chairman, Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) as the chief guest.

The government has taken the price hike of sugarcane into consideration and given subsidy amounting to Taka 6.5 crore to the farmers for cultivation of sugarcane using Rupa method under 15 sugar mills this year, the chief guest said. President and Secretary of Sugarcane Farmers' Welfare Association Abu Taleb Chowdhury and Khaja Nazimuddin respectively and sugarcane farmers K M Laek Ali, Abdus Samad and Moksed Ali spoke on the occasion.

3 die in separate incidents in dists

BSS, Jhenaidah

One person was killed in a clash at Chuniait village under Moheshpur upazila in the district on Saturday.

The victim was identified as Baqibillah of Chuniait village.

Police and local sources said, the clash between Baqibillah and his friend centering over Taka six hundred started following an altercation. At one stage Billah was injured seriously as his rival hit him on his head.

BSS, Bandarban adds: Two persons drowned at Lama and Naikkhongchhari upazila of the district on Saturday.

The dead were identified as Nurul Amin, 35, of Lamarmukh under Lama and Aungching Marma, 27, of Bahchhari under Naikkho-nchhri upazila.

Freedom Fighters accorded reception in Gazipur

Our Correspondent, Gazipur

A discussion meeting on according reception to Freedom Fighters and distribution of ID Card for Voter organised by Gachcha UP was held at Takaruddin community centre presided over by Freedom Fighter Al Haj Sirajul Islam on Thursday at 11 AM.

Deputy Commissioner in Gazipur, Sayed Mizanur Rahman spoke as the chief guest at the function. He said, Gazipur is a famous and important district which is known as Industrial Region in Bangladesh. The district is also famous as the first liberation movement was begun in this district on 19th March in 1971. ID Card with picture was made at first at Sreepur upazila of the district where Chief Election Commissioner including the District Administration attended the opening function. He also added in his speech Gachcha Union Parishad has set up the instance completing the election works and field workers tried their level best to do voluntary duty properly. He called upon all to take part in social development work for greater interest of the people ant country.

It was addressed as special guest by UNO Gazipur Sadar upazila, Nasiruddowla, social worker Akram Hossain Sarker, Freedom Fighter Rafiqul Islam, Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury. They said in their speech there are many problems in Gachcha union which cannot be solved without government's adminis-tration plan. They hoped that Gazipur District Admini-stration will take necessary action to solve these problems.

Slaughtered body of auto-rickshaw driver found in Sylhet

UNB, Sylhet

The slaughtered body of a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver was found at Kalijuri water body in Golapganj upazila here on Friday.

The victim was identified as Sultan Ahmed, 30, son of Abdur Rashid in Dubagh area of Bianibazar upazila.

Family sources said sultan went out of the house with his auto-rickshaw Thursday morning but did not return at night.

Local people saw his slaughtered body at the water body and informed police who recovered it Friday afternoon.

Roni obtains GPA-5 in SSC exam

Mehedi Hasan Roni has obtained GPA-5 in the SSC Examination from science section, from Nolta High School, Satkhira under the Jessore Board, says a press release.

He is the only son of Monsur Alam Shiraji and Rowshan Ara Parveen of Nolta. He is the nephew of poet ASM Babor Ali.

DOSW launches old-age allowance programme

NN Correspondent

Development Organisation of Social Welfare (DOSW), a non-governmental organisation, has lunched a programme of providing old-age allowance among helpless people in rural areas in Mymensingh.

The programme was inaugurated at DOSW office at Atharobari under Ishwarganj upazila in the district on July 2. Md Jahangir Alam, Executive Director of the DOSW and Managing Director of Ilingkos International Pvt Ltd, handed over cheques, amounting to Tk 500 for each cheque, among 10 poor people.

He emphasised the need for imparting employment-oriented education and trainings to the old-age people to make them self-dependent. Jahangir said his organisation would establish a computer training centre soon for the development of the youth as well as old-age people. Presided over by Md Shamsuddin Bhuiyan, the function was also addressed, among others, by general secretary of DOSW Sreedhar Sen Gupta, Sirajul Islam, Abdur Razzak and Abdul Hannan, says a press release.

Smuggled ganja worth Tk. 11 lakh seized in Ulipur frontier

BSS, Ulipur

Members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) seized huge quantity of smuggled Indian ganja worth over Taka 11 lakh from remote frontier char village of Doikhawoar Char under Ulipur upazila in Kurigram on Sunday, police sources said.

Acting on a tip-off, a special BDR patrol team from Jatrapur outpost of BDR under Kurigram Rifle Battalion conducted a sudden raid at the house of one notorious smuggler Joynal Abedin in the village near boundary pillar No 1047. The BDR team seized 218 kg smuggled Indian ganja from the house when the smugglers, who were engaged in distributing the just smuggled ganja among themselves for trafficking inside the country, somehow managed to escape the scene sensing BDR presence.

The BDR filedd a case in this connection against absconding smugglers Joynal Abedin, 35, Nuruzzaman Muhuri, 34, Shukur Ali, 35, Abdul Malek, 36, Monnaf Ali, 37, and Azahar Ali, of the surrounding char villages with Ulipur police station, the sources said.

News Briefs

Draft voter list of Ctg published

CHITTAGONG, July 8: Draft voter list of Chittagong district was published today showing the number of voters at 43,53,559 as against 48,27,374 listed in 2006 count. The number of voters in Chittagong city stands at 15,69,000, which is, however 1.14 lakh higher than the voters listed in 2006 count. Publishing the draft voter list, the district Election Officer Dulal Talukdar said application would be received by July 30 for any correction. The final voter list will be published on August 19, reports UNB.

Road crashes kill 5 in Keraniganj

KERANIGANJ, July 8: At least five people were killed and another was injured in separate road accidents on Dhaka-Maowa road here on Sunday. Police said the first accident occurred at about 5am when a sand loaded truck rammed into an auto- rickshaw coming from opposite direction, killing four auto-rickshaw passengers, including three of a family, on the spot at Hasnabad in South Keraniganj upazila. The dead were identified as Joynab, 50, her son Torab Ali, 13, and daughter Nasima 6, and another passenger Bakul Hossain, 70. The driver of the auto-rickshaw sustained serious injuries when he jumped from the vehicle to save his life. He was rushed to a local clinic, reports UNB.

Student hacked to death in Habiganj

HABIGANJ, July 8: A schoolboy was hacked to death by a gang of miscreants at Bajestong village in Chunarughat upazila Friday night. The deceased was identified as Shakir Muhammad, a student of class III. Family sources said Sayed Ali, victim's father, had longstanding enmity with their neighbour Cherag Ali and Shakir might have been killed following the enmity. Police arrested Cherag Ali in this connection, reports UNB.

Housewife sustains acid burn injuries in Tangail

TANGAIL, July: A housewife received serious burn injuries in an acid attack by unidentified miscreants at Ghachua village in Sakhipur upazila here early Saturday. The victim was identified as Parul Akhter, 50, wife of Habibur Rahman of the upazila. Sources said the miscreants threw acid on her late at night when she was sleeping at her room, leaving her critically injured. The reason behind the acid attack could not be known immediately, reports UNB.

116 arsenic affected people detected in Goalanda

GOALANDA (RAJBARI), July 8: Some 116 arsenic affected people have been detected in the uapzila in a recent survey. Upazila Health Complex sources said a 10-day government survey from March 29 to April 12 detected them in the upazila with symptoms of arsenicosis and most of them hailed from Chhoto Bhakola union. But only six arsenic affected people took treatment from upazila health complex from 2005-2008. Upazila Public Health Engineering Department sources said in the last survey in 2003, some 716 tube wells out of 9,912 were found contaminated with arsenic, reports UNB.

10-day tree fair begins in Sylhet

SYLHET, July 8: A 10-day tree fair began at Alia Madrassah ground in the city Saturday. Deputy Commis-sioner Harun-ur-Rashid inaugurated the fair jointly organized by Forest Department and Department of Agricultural Extension. Different kinds of saplings of fruit bearing, timber and medicinal trees are being displayed in 60 stalls of the fair, reports UNB.