The New Nation - Internet Edition

Ensuring health rights of RMG workers stressed

BSS, Chittagong

Speakers at a dialogue here today laid emphasis on proper healthcare of the garments workers with special focus on their reproductive rights side by side with compliance factors to ensure steady growth of the country's Readymade Garments (RMG) sector.

They said both private and public sectors as well as the conscientious section of the people as part of their corporate social responsibility should contribute in ensuring greater welfare of these workers as their sound health is a prerequisite for continuing the present trend of productivity in this sector to achieve further growth.

Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Chittagong chapter, and the UNFPA, Bangladesh, jointly organised the dialogue on "Reproductive Rights: Health and Gender Situation of Garments Workers" at a local hotel.

Academics, physicians, journalists, trade union leaders and garments workers took part in the discussion apart from the BGMEA leaders. Chairman of the BGMEA standing committee on health and family planning Emdadul Haq Chowdhury presided over the dialogue.

Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Hossain Jamil addressed the function as the chief guest while BGMEA First Vice President M A Salam moderated it.

Assistant Country Representative of UNFPA Md. Nurul Ameen presented a keynote paper highlighting the reproductive health and gender situation of the country's garments workers.

BGMEA central leader Sharfuddin Ahmed Sharif, former First Vice-President Mahbub Ali, Professor Nitish Kundu and Professor Ashraf Ali of Chittagong University, Chairman of the Centre for Good Governance Professor Syed Ahsanul Alam, trade union leaders Safar Ali and A M Nazimuddin, Professor Anjuman Ara Begum, journalist Nasirul Haq and NGO activist Mahfuzul Haq Chowdhury, among others, participated in the discussion. Hossain Jamil stressed the need for utmost attention to the healthcare issues of the garment workers in the greater interest of the RMG sector.

"There must be combined efforts to maintain a conducive working atmosphere in the garment sector," he said. Amin said lifestyle factors like living in slums, drinking impure water and inadequate food intake compounded by the occupational factors like long working hours, minimal leave, poor workplace amenities as well as exposure to chemicals, hot and noisy environment are seriously affecting the health of female RMG workers, 74 percent of whom are rural migrants.

"The reproductive health issues of RMG workers should be addressed with due importance not only for their interests, but for the benefit of owners as this will help raise the companies' reputation, consumers' confidence and productivity with profit," he said.

4 killed, 10 injured in separate incidents in Ctg

BSS, Chittagong

Four persons, including a dacoit, were killed and 10 others injured in separate incidents in the city and district last night and today, police and hospital sources said.

Selim Uddin, 38, of Hathazari upazila was lynched by the mob at Mohammadpur under Sadar union at midnight last night while he along with his associates were taking preparation for dacoity in the area.

Tajuddin, 30, son of Saju Islam of Sitakundu upazila received serious injuries as a truck hit him while he was crossing road at Sitalpur area under Sitakundu upazila today. He was admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where he breathed his last.

In another incident, Jabed, a construction worker, died as he fell from three levels of an under construction building today at Buruichar area under Hathazari upazila in the district.

Nasir Uddin, a bus contractor, died on the spot as a bus fell into a roadside ditch at Sitakhundhu sadar area today. Ten passengers of the bus also received injuries in the accident.

Outlaw killed in shootout with police in Naogaon

UNB, Naogaon

A leader of an outlawed party was killed in a shootout between his cohorts and police at Malsan village in Raninagar upazila early Thursday.

The dead was identified as Abdul Hakim alias Kalu, 32, regional commander of Purba Banglar Communist Party (ML-Lal Pataka).

Acting on a tip off, police raided an area beside Baragachha-Malsan road early today where 10/12 extremists were holding a clandestine meeting.

Sensing their presence, the outlaws opened fire on the police, forcing them to fire back that triggered a gun battle.

At one stage, the extremists managed to flee the scene.

Later, police recovered the bullet-ridden body of Kalu from the spot and sent it to Raninagar Hospital where the attending doctors declared him dead.

The law enforcers also recovered a local made pistol and nine rounds of bullet from the scene.

Kalu was accused in a number of cases, including murder, said SI Atoar Rahman of Raninagar thana.

Stipend worth Tk 5.15 lakh distributed among 208 students

BSS, Feni

Feni Zila Parishad has distributed Taka 5.15 lakh as stipend among 208 poor and meritorious students of the district on Thursday.

A function was held in this connection at the district

Shilpakala Academy auditorium with Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer Syed Sarwar Jahan in the chair.

Deputy Commissioner of Feni Masum Khan was the chief guest while police super Haroon-Ur-Rasheed Hazari and acting commander of joint forces Major Ahsan were special guests.

Principal of Feni Girls' Cadet College Badrudozza, president of Feni Press Club Nurul Karim Mojumder and students Selim and Yasin Alam Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.

Lecturer of Government Zia Mahila College Azizur Rahman conducted the function.

Woman killed, 15 injured in a clash in Pabna village

BSS, Pabna

A woman was killed and 15 others were injured in a clash between two rival groups at a remote village in the district today.

The clash erupted at 7.00 AM when about 100 people of both the groups led by Sattar Mollah and Ghani Mollah respectively locked in a clash with sticks and sharp weapons centering over taking possession of char lands and establishment of supremacy in the area at Charpirpur village.

Saleha Khatun, 45,wife of Abed Ali Khondaker of Pirpur village, was killed on the spot as she was hit by a sharp weapon during the clash.

Out of the injured, 11 persons were admitted to Pabna General Hospital. Seven of them, Abu Baker, 40, Mahatab Uddin Biswas, 50, Tipu Biswas, 40, Ripu Biswas, 40, Milan, 25, Rozina Khatun, 22, were in a critical condition.

Police arrested four people named Abdul Ghani Mollah, 45, Zahurul Haque, 40, Abdullah, 30, and Abdul Mannan, 37 in this connection.

A case was recorded with Pabna Sadar Thana.

Seminar on science-based education held in Netrakona

BSS, Netrakona

A seminar on 'Practicing science-based education' was held at the conference room of upazila rural development board office at Kalmakanda upazila in the district on Thursday.

Kalmakanda Upazila administration and World Vision Bangladesh organised the seminar. With upazila education officer F M Abdul Wazed Talukder in the chair, it was addressed, among others, by Dr Santa Tribedi, Principal Sukumar Banik, Engineer Sahabaz Mia, Educationist Mohammad Asrafuddin and local press club General Secretary Faqrul Alam Kasru.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Goutam Chandra Paul presented the keynote paper.

The objective of the seminar was to discuss the role of teachers, guardians and heads of different educational institutions to inspire new generation practicing science-based education.

JMB Member gets life in Panchagarh

Our Correspondent, Panchagarh

A court here on Sunday convicted 4 JMB member and awarded them life term imprisonment for 17 August series bomb blast in Panchagarh. The convicts identified JMB members are Md. Tanviruzzaman (25), Md. Azizul Islam (25), Md. Hafizur Rahman (26) and Md. Abdul Motin . The court also fined the accused TK 10.000 each, in default, to suffer one year more in jail.

According the prosecution the arrested JMB members blasted bomb in Panchagarh on 17 August /2005. Additional District and Season Judge Amulla Kumar Sarkar handed down the verdict

Tree fair ends in Muktagachha

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

A three-day long Agricultural Transfer-technology and tree fair ended at Muktagachha Upazila in the district on 17th July. Muktagachha Agriculture Office organised the fair.

Deputy Director, DAE Mokbul Hossain Talukdar inaugurated the fair as chief guest while UNO AKM Tipu Sultan presided over the function Upazila Agriculture Officer ABM Shahidullah other officers of the Upazila were present on the occasion.

Besides, UP chairman, teacher, Journalists and NGO activists were present 22 scalls have been setup in the fair. On the concluding day cultural function and Prize giving ceremony among nururies were held.

Law and order meet held in Chandpur

BSS, Chandpur

Monthly development co-ordination meeting of the district was held at deputy commissioner's office on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner S M Monirul Islam presided over the meeting. The meeting discussed the problems and development of different departments of the government in the district.

Police Super Md Obaidur Rahman Khan, Civil Surgeon Dr Md Akhteruzzaman, Mayor Nasiruddin Ahmed and Principal Chandpur Government College Prof Iqbal Hossain spoke, among others. Concerned government officials attended the meeting.

Phensidyle seized in Ctg

Correspondent, Chittagong

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in drive seized 505 bottles of unaccompanied contraband Indian cough syrup - Phensidyle from city's Badamtali Khawja road July 19 last.

Sources said that acting on tip off a team of the RAB-7 raided the area at about 9:30 a.m. and recovered 505 bottles of Phensidyle from the house of Mohammed Ali Hossain. Sensing presence of the RAB men, the drug-peddler fled the scene.

A case was recorded with Chandgaon police station in connection with the incident.

Workshop on shrimp cultivation held

BSS, Barisal

A day-long workshop on shrimp cultivation was held here in the Matsy Bhaban Thursday.

Chaired by Deputy Director of Fisheries Department Abdul Azim, the workshop on 'Implementation Strategy of Tradability in Shrimp Valuechain' focused the overall development of shrimp cultivation in the southern districts.

Prof Dr Md Kamal of Bangladesh Agriculture University, Deputy Commissioner Monjur-e-Elahi, RFL Project Director Sheikh Mostafijur Rahman and ARD Project Director Nasir Uddin Md Humayun attended as special guests. At least 50 shrimp culturists from six southern districts of the region attended the workshop.

Two held with Indian rupees one lakh

BSS, Chapainawabgan

Police arrested two persons with 1 lakh Indian rupees at BRTC bus stand in Chapainawabganj town this morning. The arrested persons are Fitu 36 and Robiul 38 all of Bakhorali Notun Tiklichar village under Charbagdanga union of Chapainawabganj sadar upazila. Police said. Acting on a tip-off, police raided the bus stand area and arrested the two persons with Indian rupees. A case was filed with the local police station in this connection.

Disgruntled father hands over son to police

BSS, Barisal

A disgruntled father today handed over his addicted son to police in Agailjhara upazila of the district.

Police sources said the father identified as Sarbananda Biswas of Kathira village called in local police to take into custody of his heroin addict son Richard Biswas.

Sarbananda Biswas was compelled to seek police help in the wake of relentless torturing by the son for paying drug money. An accused in cow lifting cases in the area Richard beat his parents once again before the arrest for drug money. Being informed, a team of Agailjhara police rushed to the village and arrested the heroin addict and then took him to the police station. Richard was also arrested earlier on similar charges, but escaped punishment for lack of witnesses.

Fraud manpower businessman sent to jail in Sunamganj

UNB, Sylhet

A fraud manpower businessman was sent to jail Tuesday a day after he was arrested from his house in Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj district on charge of cheating many people. The arrested was identified as Anwar Ali, 32, son of Ala Box of Sherpur village in the upazila. Sources said Anwar received huge money from a number of people in Sylhet, Sunmanganj, Moulvi-bazar and Netrakona districts showing fake visas and documents to send them abroad for lucrative jobs.

Chhatak thana police arrested Anwar Monday night following a case filed with Netrokona Sadar police station district on April 1, this year.

News briefs

Cottage industry

fair begins

Sylhet, July 24: A month long textile and cottage industry fair began at Goalabazar in Balaganj upazila Thursday. Balaganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer M Rafiqul Alam inaugurated the fair as chief guest. A total of about 100 stalls have been set up in the fair, report UNB.

Three robbers arrested in Habiganj

Habiganj, July 24 : Detective Branch of police arrested three suspected robbers from Umednagar area of the district town Wednesday night. On secret information, police raided the area beside Habiganj-Lakhai road where the robbers were taking preparation for committing a dacoity at about 10 pm. Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the bandits went to nearby Kibria bridge to escape arrest. But police surrounded the area and arrested the robbers identified as Maksud Ali, 28, Abbasuddin, 25, and Nur-e Alam, 23. A case was filed, report UNB.

One sentenced to life in Jhalakati

Jhalakati, July 24: A court here on Wednesday sentenced a man to life term imprisonment for killing a woman in 2004. The court also fined the convict Siddique Khalifa, 50, of Manki Dahar Shankar village in Rajapur upazila Tk 10,000, in default, to suffer two years RI more. According to the prosecution, Siddique Khalifa hacked Sahera Khatun, a widow, to death as she refused to marry him on March 28, 2004. After examining the records and witnesses, Additional District and Sessions Judge Abdur Rab Hawlader pronounced the verdict, report UNB.

3 arrested with touchstone statue

in Naogaon

Naogaon, July 24 : A special team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested three smugglers along with a touchstone made statue of Lord Bishnu at Bamanchhata village in Mahadevpur upazila on Tuesday. Acting on a tip off, RAB-5 members went to the village in guise of statue buyers in the evening. When the smugglers showed them the statue, the elite force arrested traders Mosharraf Hossain, 42, Khademul Islam, 40, and Delwar Hossain, 32, from the spot. RAB sources estimated the value of the statue, weighing 71 kgs, at Tk 1 crore. The arrested were handed over to the local thana. A case was filed, report UNB.

70 sacks smuggled fertiliser seized

in Dinajpur

Dinajpur, July 24: BDR jawans seized 70 sacks of Potash fertilizer worth over Tk 1.5 lakh from a tractor at Dhaka crossing in Phulbari uapzila on Dinajpur-Gobindaganj road Wednesday. BDR sources said acting on a tip off when a BDR team stopped a tractor the smugglers and the tractor driver managed to flee away. Later, they recovered the substandard Indian fertilizer from the tractor which was brought from Hili land station. report UNB.

Phensidyl recovered in Chuadanga

CHUADANGA, July 24: Police recovered 140 bottles of phensidyl from Andulbaria village in Jibannagar upazila Sunday. Acting on a secret information police recovered the bottles of phensidyl from the pile of straw in the house of one Shamusl Haq of the village. None was arrested in this connection, reports UNB.

Lethal weapons recovered from SUST in Sylhet

Sylhet, July 23: Police recovered four hockey sticks, 20 stumps, two knives, 10 rods and 12 bamboo sticks from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Tuesday. The law enforcers raided the university campus and recovered these lethal weapons from a bush near SUST library at about 5pm, report UNB.