The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pourasabha Election ’08: Sitakunda wears a festive look as poll campaign gains momentum

Pankaj Barua, Sitakunda

Five candidates for the post of Mayor, 37 for Councilors and 11 for the reserved seats for women were allotted symbols for the upcoming Sitakunda Municipality election on August 4 at the office of the Returning Officer on July 14.

Among the candidates, former Mayor Nayek (Retd) Shafiul Alam was allotted the symbol Umbrella for the post of Mayor. Among others, Alhajj Md Abul Kalam Azad (present incumbent) was allotted wall clock, ATM Saifuddin (wheel), Md Nurun Nabi Bhuiyan (Pineapple) and Md Nizam Uddin (chair).

The candidates for the reserved seats for women in Ward Nos. 1,2,3, are Mina Akhter (table), Anwara Begum (candle), Fazilatunnesa Hossain (Aeroplane) and Anwara Begum (Lotus).

In Ward Nos. 4,5,6 the female candidates are Mahfuza Mowla Lucky (table), Zakera Begum (candle), and Khaleda Akhter (Lotus).

In Ward Nos. 7,8,9 the women candidates are Masuda Begum (Aeroplane), Monwara Begum (Bus) and Shaheda Akhter (Lotus).

For the post of councilors in Ward No.1 the candidates are Md Shamsul Alam Manik (Pitcher), Md Nizam Uddin Nizami (Bucket), Md Yunus Mian (Ladder), Md Nurun Nabi Shahazahan (Fish), Md Selim Uddin (Cock), in Ward No. 2 Md. Shaha Alam (Ladder), Maimun Uddin Mamun (Pitcher), Md. Aman Ullah (Football), Md Zainal Abedin (Fish), in Ward No. 3 Md Ibrahim (Pitcher), Md Saidur Rahman Chowdhury (Ladder), AKM Shamsul Azad (Fish) and Md Fasiul Alam (Cock), in Ward No. 4 Abu Nasir (Television), Md Omar Faruq (Pitcher) Haradhon Chowdhury (Elephant), Md Zainul Abedin (Fish), Md Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury ( Ladder), in Ward No. 5 Md Nurul Alam (Pitcher), Md Raihan Uddin Rehan (Television), Md Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Murad (Fish), Master Swapon Kumar Chakrabarty (Ladder) , in Ward No. 6 Qazi Md Mohiuddin Sohel (Pitcher), Md. Zahurul Alam (Fish), Md Nurul Huda Mintu (Ladder), Ashish Kumar Chowdhury (Football), in Ward No. 7-Md Nurul Gani (Pitcher), Md Zamal Uddin (Television), Biswanath Das (Ladder), AJM Hossain Bhuiyan (Fish), in Ward No. 8--Md Abul Kalam (Pitcher), Rafiqul Alam (Football), Md Shariat Ullah (Ladder), Alhajj Md Siraj Uddin (Fish), in Ward No. 9- Md Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury (Cock), Julfikar Ali Masud (Fish), and Md. Nurul Islam (Pitcher).

Md Badiulm Alam and Nur Mostafa Mintu withdrew their candidacies for the post of Mayor. Due to providing wrong information or mistakes in the submitted nomination papers, the candidacies of Dulal Chandra Dey (Ward No. 4) and Lalan Choudhury (Ward No. 6) for the post of councilors were cancelled.

On the other hand, the candidacy of Khaleda Akhter for the post of councilor for the reserved seats for women was cancelled for not fulfilling the age requirement. In addition, Harun Ur Rashid (Ward No.2), Md. Zainal Abedin (Ward No. 6), and Md Liakat Ali (Ward No. 9) withdrew their candidacies for the post of councilor.

After getting the allocation of their desired symbols, the candidates started their election campaign. They are passing busy days visiting the voters and exchanging pleasantries with them. They are trying their best to win the support of the voters committing to welfare for locals.

Former Mayor of Sitakunda Municipality Nayek (Retd) Shafiul Alam said, "People know what I did for them during my tenure and they always found and will find me in their need. That is why on the campaign I am getting unprecedented response from the voters. In the last term my Victory was snatched away. If this time the election is free and fair, I am very optimistic about winning the election.". Alhajj Md Abul Kalam Azad (The present incumbent), a candidate for the post of Mayor, said, " I tried my level best to work for the all round development of the municipality area. It is true that due to the limitation of funds I could not complete some development present. But if I am elected this time again, I'll try to finish the incomplete work." .

Though the pourashabha election is thought to be a non-party election, the political identity of the candidates will have an impact on the election. Of the five candidates for the post of mayor, three are from the major political parties of the country. They are Awami league supported candidate Nayek(Rtd). Shafiul Alam, BNP Supported candidate Alhajj Abul Kalam Azad, and Jatiyo Party(Ershad) Supported candidate Md Nurun Nabi Bhuiyan. Though the other two candidates have also the political identity of the two major political parties of the country- ATM Saifuddin Shaheen(Awami League) and MD Nizam Uddin Nizam (BNP), they are competing in the election as the independent candidates. Mean while ATM Saifuddin Shaheen was expelled form Awami League for being the candidate for the post of Mayor. These two independent candidates will be the cause of headache for the two arch rivals Nayek (Rtd) Shafiul Alam and Alhajj Abul Kalam Azad. But both candidates rejected any possibility of harm by the two independent candidates and expressed their hope of winning the election.

Due to the changed political situation of the country and the upcoming national election, the major political parties are also putting much importance the 9 pourashabha elections to be held on Aug 4, 2008. They are taking this election of the 4 city corporations and 9 pourashabhas to be held on Aug 4, 2008 as a means of assessing their position among the voters.

There is a festive look in the pourashabha area indicated by the electoral camps set up in places of the different Wards of the municipality area by the candidates. The posters of the symbols of the respective candidates are found everywhere in the poura area. But due to the state of emergency an ebb of spontaneous participation of the voters in the election campaign in support of the candidates is observed.

However the voters are found to be more conscious than ever before in electing the right candidates. Md shafiul Alam, a voter said "The candidates will have to prove that they are true to their words and that they have the tendency to work for the people. This time mere promises of the candidates will not do at all." On the other hand Sushanta Barua, a voter said "We will vote him or her who will stand by us in our weal and woe and who is sincere and honest."

Stipend distributed among brilliant students in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

Ghuridaha union parishad (UP) under Shaghata upazila of the district distributed stipend among the brilliant students of the union on Sunday.

The distribution ceremony was held at the hall room of the UP with its Chairman M Ataur Rahman Ata in the Chair.

Major M Jahangir Hossain, Army Camp in-charge of Gaibandha, addressed the function and distributed stipend among 17 students who obtained scholarships in primary and junior scholarship examinations and secured brilliant results in the last SSC examination from different schools of the union.

District fisheries officer ASM Rashedul Haque was present as the special guest.

A large number of students, teachers, guardians, local elite, public representatives and journalists were present.

Pig farm earns Taka 4.1 lakh in 2007-08 FY in Rangamati

BSS, Rangamati

The pig farm deposited Taka 4.1 lakh as revenue in the national exchequer in 2007-08, despite having different limitation including lack of modern technical facilities, the farm sources said.

Selling different size of pigs, the farm earned the said amount. With a view to creating keenness among tribal communities about pig farming, Rangamati Hill District Council, a supervisory organization of the district, distributed 421 pigs during the period from the farm.

Besides, the farm situated in Manikchhari area beside the Rangamati-Khagrachhari road, around 12 kilometers off the tourist town, produced 668 piglets in the same period, the sources added. Terming pig farming as a booming sector, Swapan Kumar Dhar, Assistant Director of the pig farm, urged the authority concerned to take special step to provide necessary equipment and facilities for boosting the farm considering pig's demand to CHT people. The hilly region is an apposite place in all aspects including environmental for pig rearing, the AD added.

Madaripur Kamil Madrasa beset with manifold problems

BSS, Madaripur

The Madaripur Kamil Madrasa, one of the oldest educational institutions of the greater Faridpur district has been facing many problems.

The madrasa was established in 1949, has more than 400 students and 19 teachers at present. Although it is a residential madrasa, but accommodation problem in the madrasa is acute. Many students coming from far- flung areas even not getting lodging facilities in the house of richer families which was in the past was very easy to get.

The teachers of the madrasa are also suffering from residential problems as the madrasa does not have accommodation for all the teachers.

Besides, with the increase in the number of students there is shortage of classrooms. The madrasa requires eight more classrooms for holding normal classes.

There are 28 post of teachers in the madrasa but nine post are lying vacant for a long time which has been hampering the smooth running of the madrasa.

To overcome the problems the madarasa management is trying their best but the problems are yet to resolved.

BCL calls indefinite strike at CU

BSS, Chittagong

Bangladesh Chhtara League (BCL), Chittagong University (CU) unit, has called an indefinite strike at the university, protesting the arrest of their four leaders and workers.

BCL CU unit acting President Abul Monsur Jamshed and General Secretary Ershad Hossain called the strike through a press release signed by them on Tuesday night.

Earlier, two BCL workers---Shaheed of Mathematics Department and Nuruzzaman of Accounting Department---were picked up from shuttle train of the university in the morning. Police said they rounded up the two with sharp weapons.

Later, Zahidur Rahman Jewel, science and technology secretary of BCL CU unit, and Mohsin Kamal Riyel, social welfare secretary, were arrested when they went to Hathazari thana in the evening for release of Shaheed and Nuruzzaman.

Police said they held Jewel and Riyel for taking part in a procession on the CU campus on June 30 violating the emergency rules.

2000 poor people receive free treatment in Faridpur

UNB, Faridpur

Some 2000 poor people received free treatment at a medical camp at Kamargram in Alamdanga upazila Friday.

Mother Teresa Society organized the camp from 9am to 5pm with the help of district administration and local elite.

The poor people of the village were given prescriptions and medicines free of cost. About 15 physicians from home and abroad provided the treatment to the patients.

Adviser of the society Khairuzzaman Shipon said medicines worth Tk 5 lakh were distributed among the poor patients.

A discussion meeting was also held at Alamdanga Adarsha Kamargram Degree College on the occasion with a view to create health awareness among the people.

Captain (retd) Dr Masudur Rahman presided over the meeting while Khulna Range DIG Asaduzamman PPM, Professor of Darog Institute Dr Kazi Abdul Hasan, Adviser of the society Kazi Khairuzzaman Shipon and Silva Pharmaceutical Director Mollik Mahmud spoke on the occasion.

Training for pir education held in Mymensingh

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

A two-day-long Training works for the Pir Education under the Project Madrasah students initiative for Adolescent Health in Bangladesh began in Mymensingh at D.S Aliya Madrasah on 21 July.

It was organised by FPAB, Mymensingh Unit. Dr. Birag Ananda Nath, DD Family Welfare, Myme-nsingh inaugurated the programme as chief guest. Lion Mizanur Rahman Khan Liton, Vice President FPAB presided over the programme. Md. Matiur Rahman, ASP RAB-9, Professor Shafiqul Islam, Principal Md. Idris Khan, Md. Giasuddin, Madrasah Project manager, Md Akram Hossain, Project Officer, Mymensingh unit, FPAB were also splke at the programme.

The speakers stressed on Madrasah students Adole-scent Health in Bangladesh. 30 Madrasah students took 'part in the Programme.

Pothole strewn Ctg roads needs urgent repair

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), even after repeated requests from the citizens, has not yet taken any move to renovate the rain-damaged city streets.

A field investigation revealed that the CCC men had only leveled some of the potholes while majority of bumpy roads left untouched doubling the commuters suffering.

Intersection at Bahaddarhat, Oxygen Square, Bahaddarhat-Shah Amanat link road and Kalurghat roads are unfit for vehicular traffic. Incessant heavy shower and subsequent water-logging in June destroyed the majority of the road carpeting slowing the traffic flow in most cases resulting in unusual traffic congestion at places.

Indian fertiliser recovered in Jessore

BSS, Benapole

Members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) recovered Indian potash fertilizer from a place near Jamtala bazar under Sharsha upazila on Tuesday morning.

Sources said, on secret information, BDR members raided the area and seized 1,350 kg of Indian potash fertilizer worth about Taka 50 thousand in an abandoned condition.

Smugglers brought the fertilizer from India and took those to Jessore town but sensing the presence of the border guards they fled away leaving the fertilizers, the sources added.

News briefs

6 shops gutted

in Sylhet

Sylhet, July 30: At least six shops and four rooms of a colony were damaged in a devastating fire at Farirbazar in Bianibazar upazila on Friday. Local people said the fire originated in Zamil Enterprise from a gas cylinder explosion at about 12 noon and soon engulfed the other shops and four rooms of the colony. The extent of loss caused by the fire was estimated at Tk 1 crore. Earlier, separate fire incidents on Tuesday and Wednesday damaged a number of shops at Mufassil Market, Dasura Bazar and Asirganj Bazar in Bianibazar poura area and charred valuables worth about Tk 2 crore, report UNB.

Phensidyl seized

in Dinajpur

Dinajpur, July 30: Police recovered 500 bottles of Indian phensidyl syrup from a private car in Khetabmore area of Ghoraghat upazila on Friday. Acting on a tip-off, police took position on Dinajpur-Gobindaganj road at about 10am. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the drug peddlers managed to flee leaving behind the car on the road. Later, police recovered the phensidyl and seized the vehicle. A case was filed, report UNB..

Arms recovered

in Madaripur

Madaripur, July 30: Rapid Action Battalion members seized three firearms and eight rounds of bullet at Char Shamaloil village in Shibchar upazila early Thursday. Acting on secret information, a team of RAB-1 recovered one revolver, two shutter guns and eight rounds of bullets from under the pile of straws at 2:30am at the house of Abul Kalam Sardar. The seized firearms and bullets were handed over to the Shibchar thana. None was arrested in this connection, report UNB.

Mobile court realizes Tk 23,000 fine from hotels in Satkhira

Satkhira, July 30: A mobile court on Thursday realized Tk 23,000 in fine from four hotels in the district town for unhygienic environment and serving substandard food items. Led by Executive Magistrate AKM Azadur Rahman, the mobile court conducted the drive in the city's New Market crossing area. During the drive, the court realized Tk 8,000 in fine from a hotel while Tk 5,000 each from three other hotels, report UNB.

Carbide-ripened mango seized

in Comilla

Comilla, July 30: A mobile court seized 100 maunds of carbide-ripened mango and also fined two fruit traders Tk 1.50 lakh at Shasan-gachha in the town on Thursday night. The RAB-led court, led by Magistrate Sharif Nazrul Islam, conducted the drive at Shasangachha and recovered the carbide-ripened mangoes. During the drive, the court fined fruit traders Mostafa Kamal Tk 50,000 and Khorshed Alam Tk 1 lakh for selling the carbide mixed mangoes. Trader Khorshed Alam was jailed for three months as he failed to pay the fine. The seized mangoes were destroyed on Friday morning, Mobile court realizes Tk 23,000 fine from hotels in Satkhira

Satkhira, July 26 : A mobile court on Thursday realized Tk 23,000 in fine from four hotels in the district town for unhygienic environment and serving substandard food items. Led by Executive Magistrate AKM Azadur Rahman, the mobile court conducted the drive in the city's New Market crossing area. During the drive, the court realized Tk 8,000 in fine from a hotel while Tk 5,000 each from three other hotels, report UNB.