The New Nation - Internet Edition

Health & Family Planning service for backward char people underscored

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

The health service would be ensured for the people of the remote and backward char areas of the country as well as the family planning activities would be geared up among them aimed at building a developed and prosperous nation. It is our foremost duty to reach the health services to the char people as they have also the equal rights to enjoy the existing facilities of the country". Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare AKM Zafar Ullah Khan said this.

While he was addressing and inaugurual ceremony of a camp on "Permanent and temporary Methods of Family Planning, Eye and the Health Services for Mothers and children" organised by Friendship, a repute Non-Government Organisation, at Baitkamari char under Kamarzani union of Sadar upazila in the district on Friday noon as chief guest.

He also emphasised on the introduction of permanent and temporary methods of family planning among the able couples of char areas on large scale by motivating them in order to check the population growth.

Giving the due importance of quality services for the mothers and the children living at backward char areas, he instructed the field level officials and employees of Health and Family Planning Department to work here cordially and sincerely so that the char people could not be deprived from services on two important issues.

He also urged the stakeholders including the Government and Non-Government Organisations to bring the char people under various development programmes to change their fate economically and socially through coordinated efforts.

Professor M.A Fayez, Director General (DG) of Health Department and Kamrun Nesa Khanam, DG of Family Planning Department were present as special guests.

Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Abu Muhammad Yousuf, the function was also addressed, among others, by Dr. ABM Tankimul Haque, Director of Health Department, Rajshahi Division and Hosne Ara, Director of Family Planning Department, Rajshahi Division.

The address of welcome was delivered by Runa Khan, Executive Director of Friendship Civil Surgeon (CS) Dr. M Shamsul Haque, Deputy Director of Family Planning Department Dr. M Reazul Islam, Sadar upazila health and family planning officer Dr. Prodip Kumar Kormakar, Sadar upazila family planning officer M. Rafiqul Islam, Project Coordinator of Friendship Rafiquzzaman Pollob, Public and NGO representatives, and the employees of health and family planning department including the journalists of print and electronic media were present on the occasion.

Later, he visited the family planning activities being conducted by Friendship at Sidhai char under Mollar Char union of the upazila in the district on Friday afternoon as chief gust and expressed his satisfaction over the performance of Friendship.

Earlier, he also visited the Gaibandha Sadar Hospital of the town here on Friday morning and went round its different rooms including emergency department operation theatre as chief guest.

He also held a meeting of the doctors and staff working in different hospitals in the district at the conference room of CS here as chief guest. DG of Health Professor Dr. MA Fayez and divisional health Dr. AM Tanjimal Haque were present as special guests. Presided over by CS Dr M Shamsul Haque, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by Fulchar upazila health and family planning officer Dr. Nazrul Islam, consultant of chest diseases clinic Dr. SMA Jail and RMO Dr. M. Aminul Islam.

The chief guest in his speech urged the doctors and the staff to work sincerely and honestly to ensure the quality health services for the people. He also assured the doctors to solve the problems raised by them as early as possible in the greater interest of the patients.

Rich tributes paid to Col Taher

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

The 32nd death anniversary of sector commander of the liberation war Col Abu Taher (Bir Uttam) was observed at his village home Kazla under Purbadhala Upazila of Netrakona district with paying glowing tribute to the memory of the valiant freedom fighter on Monday.

To mark his death anniversary, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) central committee, JSD Myme-nsingh and Netrakona district units jointly chalked out different programmes at Kazla.

The programme included placing of floral wreaths at his graveyard holding of memorial meeting and bringing' out of silent morning procession.

A memorial meeting was held at the freedom fighter's house premises at the Kazla. Chaired by Vice-President of the JSD cenral committee and also the president of JSD Netrakona district unit Golam Ershadur Rahman, the memorial meeting was addressed, among others, by JSD central and district level leaders including Kandaker Sulaiman, Abul Hashem Bacchu, Pinakki Sarma, Advocate Nazrul Islam, Advocate Ali Azgar and Hussain Ali.

The speakers paid rich tribute to the memory of the valiant freedom fighter and recalled his outstanding contribution in the liberation war. They also prayed for the peace and salvation of the departed soul of let Col Taher.

Schoolgirl commits suicide in Narail

Our Correspondent, Narail

A school girl of class nine commits suicide for being teased and an attempt of being kidnapped by some derailed boys of Baranal village under kalia upazila in Narail district.

Eyewitnesses said that on July 21 last one Mehedi Hassan and his four accomplices tried to kidnap Tania on the way to school. Then Tania shouted and the local people rescued her from there and took her to the school.

The local people alleged that Mehedi Hassan son of Appel Sarder of Bilduria village had been tearing her for a long time. He also proposed her and having been denied he, with his accomplices tried to kidnap her.After that occurance, the Headmaster of Parokhali High School sent her to house by a peon.

Being seriously ashamed and aggrieved Tania committed suicide hanging herself at about 2.30 p.m on that very day at her house.

Tania was the daughter of Showkat Gazi of Baranal village in Kalia upazila. In this connection a case was lodged with Kalia police station by the deceased mother, Afroza Begum.

OC Mehedi Hassan confirmed the mattar and arrested Kakon, one of the accomplices of Mehedi. On Tuesday her dead body was brought to Narail Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

Illegal election camps removed in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Police removed three illegal election propagation camps from the footpaths of the city as per direction of election commission on Sunday afternoon.

Hayatul Islam, assistant police commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police, said that three election propagation camps of Ahsan Habib Kamal, mayor candidate, Ayesha Touhid Luna, candidate of reserved female seat no.4, K M Shahidullah, councilor candidate of ward-12 by the order of the election commission after receiving allegations from rival candidates.

It was the first action of election commission against violation of election propagation rule and the affected candidates denied any encroachment of public place or properties for using in election propagation.

Obituary

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Sajeda Matin, teacher of Barisal Baptist Mission School, former district secretary of Mahila Pari-shad and renowned women right's activist of the region, died of cancer at her home in Nabogram Road area of the city at 11:30 am Tuesday morning.

She was 57 and left her husband Abdul Matin, a dedicated CPB leader and two daughters and many well-wishers.

Her dead body was brought to Barisal district office of Mahila Parishad at afternoon and later buried at Nabogram Road Goros-than holding namaje janaja at Nabogram Eidgah Maidan after Asar Prayer.

Mayor candidates, leaders of different political parties, socio-cultural organizations including Mahila Parishad, Udichi, Barisal Natok, Gano Shilpi Sangstha, Khelaghor, Workers Party, CPB, Chhatra Moitri, Barisal Reporters Unity and Metro-politan Journalist

Union, Sangskritik Sangothan Samonaya Pari-shad, expressed their deep condolence at the demise of Sajeda Matin and solidarity with the grieved family members and associates.

Mass awareness to fight HIV/AIDS underscored

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

The youth community could play a significant role in combating HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh and as such awareness raising has no alternative. This was stated in seminar on "Awareness raising on HIV/AIDS for youths in Bangladesh held in Mymensingh at Mukulni-besschool on 19th July. With cooperation of the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Education and UNESCO Headquarters, the National Association of UNESCO Clubs in Bangladesh has been organised the seminar.

Mahmudul Hasan, secretary was present as chief guest in the seminar. Key note paper presented by Dr. Jainta Kumar Nath, Maneyer HIV/NDS prevention project World Vision. Professor Md. Shafiuddin Ahmed, Principal A.M. College, Professor Faruk Ahmed Khan, Principal Muminunnesa College, Amir Ahmed Chowdhury Ratan, Headmaster Mukul Niketan school were also present. Vowmalist Ataul Karim Khokon presided our the seminar.

Newspaper-Carrier microbus comes under terrorist attack in Netrakona

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

A newspaper-carrier microbus was came under terrorist attack and the microbus driver and it's assistant driver were beaten up by the terrorists at Sambuganj bridge point of Mymensing district town on Tuesday. Local agent of different national and regional newspapers Abu Baker told newsmen that a group of terrorists led by an automobile driver waylaid the newspaper-carrier microbus when the micro-bus reached at the bridge point for returning to Dhaka after supplying different newspapers to the agent in Netrakona district town.

The terrorists compelled the micro-bus driver Jahir and its assistant driver Balayet to get down from the vehicle and beat up them mercilessly.

After the incident the newspaper selling agent Abu Baker filed a general diary with Netrakona Model police station seeking lawful help.

On receiving information, Netrakona district based correspondents of different national newspapers, news agencies and electronic medias called on police super Netrakona Sakawath Hussain and informed the police super about the terrorist attack on the newspaper-carrier microbus. They also demanded exem-plary punishment of the attackers.

Barisal City Corporation polls: Allegations against violating election conduct rules increasing

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Allegations and counter allegations of rival Mayor candidates of Barisal City Corporation Election are increasing. Election Commi-ssion officials claimed they already started taking action against the accused candidates.

Sources said almost every candidates violating six-hours time -frame for propagation through make especially in the remote areas of the city.

Candidates violating rules of gathering holding inner meeting inside house and political party offices to decide and operate election propagation in favour of their supported candidates.

Sarfuddin Santu, PDP nominated Mayor candidate with 'Umbrella' symbol, alleged that his rival candidates distributing cooked foods (khichuru) in the different slum and lower income group areas including stadium, band and port road areas of the city.

Ebaidul Huq Chan, one of his rival candidates collecting voter ID cards from the Palashpur, Charbaria and other areas of Amanatganj in northern part of the city and calling them to the house of the candidate returning those cards with some tips. Election workers of Umbrella-brand also receiving threatening in different parts of the city, he further said. Chan, the former district BNP secretary and Mayor candidate with 'Ship' symbol, denying allegation against him, said that restriction of daily only 6 hours time for election propagation limited the works within 12 days time-limit.

Some candidates are directly using their political identity, forces, workers and activists in election propagation using huge black money, Chan further alleged. Shawkat Hossain Hiron, the 14 party alliance nominated Mayor candidate with 'Television' symbol, alleged that his rival candidate Santu moving on luxurious car decorated with electronic propagation equipments and tricks to influence the voters and expenditure of election camps and propagation of the major rival candidates already exceeded limits restrict by EC.

Ahsan Habib Kamal, expelled city BNP president and Mayor candidate with 'Clock' symbol also alleged about using political force and black money in election propagations by his rival candidates.

Advocate Enayet Pir Khan, Nagorik Parishad nominated Mayor candidate with ' Fish' symbol, said that as black money, muscle power and political forces are using in this local government election, so only implementing restriction on wall writing or posturing could not attain any major qualative change and would not the benefited for honest and competent candidates. Not only the major Mayor candidates, but also the councilor candidates in different wards of BCC also alleged the same and liable election commission for keeping silence and failure to monitor and taking action against the violators of the election conduct rules.

Enayet Hossain Chowdhury, district secretary of election monitoring organization 'FEMA', said that we are collecting data about pre-election observation including violation of election conduct rules and the facts would be sent to central committee.

Manirul Islam, deputy election commissioner in charge and returning officer of BCC election, said 'EC is monitoring the situation and after receiving any written allegation taking swept action against the violators of the election conduct rules. Already we removed election 4 camps of the councilor and mayor candidates built or encroached on public properties and road sides and calling Sarfuddin Santu to EC office we gave notice to stop violating election conduct rules including using motorized vehicles in election propagation works.

Other candidates also cautioned not to use political identities and not to violate election conduct rules including over expenditures restricted by EC,' the returning officer added.

News Briefs

3-day tree fair begins in Sylhet

SYLHET, July 25: A 3-day tree fair, to encourage people to gear up social afforestation movement, began in Balaganj upazila on Saturday. Local admin-istration and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) jointly organized the fair at Goal Bazar Agriculture Training Centre premises. DAE Deputy Directors M Jahurul Islam inaugurated the fair with Upazila Nirbahi officer M Rafiqul Islam in the chair. Different species of saplings of various fruit- bearing, timber and medicinal trees are being displayed at 10 stalls of the fair, reports UNB.

Housewife killed for dowry in Kurigram

Kurigram, July 25: A housewife was allegedly killed by her husband for dowry in Dakbangla area of the district town on Thursday. Family sources said Shahadat Hossain beat up his wife Moyna, 35, mother of three children, as she refused to bring Tk 50,000 dowry from her parents in the morning. At one stage, Shahadat poured kerosene on her body and set her ablaze, leaving her critically injured. Hearing screams, local people rushed to the spot and rescued her. They took Moyna to Sadar Hospital from where she was shifted to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Later, she was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where she died at midnight report UNB.

One killed, 4 hurt in Comilla wall collapse

Comilla, July 25: A man was killed and four people were injured in a wall collapse incident at Gayam Bagicha in the district town Sunday. Witnesses said a roadside dilapidated wall collapsed on the pedestrians at about 10am, injuring five people, including a child. Of the injured Momtaz Hossain Khandaker, 55, of Old Chowdhury para, died on way to hospital, reports UNB.

Strawberry nursery installed in Panchagarh

Panchagarh, July 25: The work of a strawberry nursery and research project began here recently with a view to popularize strawberry cultivation in the district. The Golden Seed Farm of the area found that the weather and soil of the district are favourable for strawberry cultivation and selected Holdhorjot village for its cultivation. The farm has installed a strawberry nursery project on three acres of land at Amarkhana in Sadar upazila. Additional Deputy Commissioner M Manjur Hasan Bhuiyan inaugurated the nursery with Prof M Manjur Hossain of Rajshahi University Botany department in the chair, reports UNB.

Workshop on safe migration held in Barisal

BARISAL, July 25: A daylong workshop titled 'safe migration procedure for the professional workers: social participation' was held at DC office conference room here on Monday. BRAC organized the workshop under its project titled 'Safe Migration Facilitation Center' (SMFC), which is being implemented in 17 districts of the country, including Barisal. Md. Shahj-ahan Mia, assistant director of district manpower and employment exchange, pres-ided over the workshop while Manjur-E-Ilahi, deputy commissioner of the district, was present as chief guest. Toufiq Mahbub Chowdhury, police super, Syed Saiful Hauqe, BRAC official, Khondokar Rezwanul Karim, program manager of Manu-sher Jonno, were present as special guest, reports UNB.