The New Nation - Internet Edition

Singhang Fabrics of TK Group gutted

Chittagong Correspondent

Fabrics, stockpiled wools and machineries worth Taka over 30 million were gutted in an inferno that broke out at Singhang Fabrics Limited at Kalurghat heavy industrial area yesterday.

Country's one of the biggest business group - TK Group owns the factory, firemen said.

Sources said that the fire had originated from electric short circuit at about 9:15 and the flames engulfed the whole factory quickly.

Mohammad Abul Hashem, manager of fabrics unit, however, claimed that the volume of damage would exceed 50 million.

Nine firefighting units from Agrabad, Chandanpura and Kalurghat fire stations carried out dampening operation, which continued till 9:20 p.m.

Sources said that a probe body would soon be formed to look into the incident.

Mohammad Abul Hashed filed a General Diary (GD) with Chandgaon police station. Dampening operation had been going on till the time of dispatching this report at 9:30 p.m.

Outlaw leader arrested in Rajbari

BSS, Rajbari

A listed terrorist and leader of an outlawed party was arrested on Saturday from his hideout at Bhabanipur village under Sadar Upazila of the district, police said.

Acting on a tip off, police raided the rented house of Altaf Hossain, 33, son of Aminul Islam, a leader of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP), and nabbed him.

Bhabanipur, a remote shoal area, is known as a den of the outlawed.

Police said Altaf was an accused of different crimes including mugging, robbery, illegal arms holder and abduction.

Police sent him to Rajbari district jail after interrogation.

Govt doesn't want unnecessary debate over Khaleda's release: Hussain Zillur

UNB, Chittagong

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman has said the government does not want to get involved with any unnecessary debate over the release of detained BNP chairperson

Khaleda Zia.

Everything will be clear when the result of government's initiative in this regard would be known, he told newsmen responding to a query after a seminar at the Chittagong Chamber auditorium yesterday.

The Commerce Adviser was the chief guest at the seminar on 'Global Compliance Requirement', organized by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).

Addressing the seminar, Dr Hossain Zillur said it would not take very long to increase the growth rate, if political stability could be maintained in the country.

"A positive result will come soon, the way Bangladesh is marching forward… if political stability can be maintained, country's growth rate will soon increase to 10 percent from 5 percent."

He hoped that the government would be able to formulate an acceptable Coal Policy by transforming all controversies and disbeliefs into confidence.

The Adviser said that the government is keeping close watch on the markets so that the prices of essentials could not rise abnormally ahead of Ramadan.

"Businessmen also have responsibilities to keep the prices of daily necessities within the reach of the common people," he said, reminding the businessman of their social responsibility.

FBCCI president Annisul Huq was the special guest at the seminar, chaired by BKMEA president M Fazlul Hoque.

Chittagong Chamber vice president Mahbub Alam and director Nasiruddin Chowdhury were, among others, present.

Contractor held for bribing Barguna OC

UNB, Barguna

Joint forces arrested Md Shahadat Hossain, an influential contractor and secretary of Barguna Contractors Association, from his residence in the town on Friday afternoon on charge of mediating to bribe the officer-in-charge (O/C) of Sadar thana.

Sources at the local Naval camp said the joint forces on July 28 arrested 21 contractors during a negotiation on tender for construction of houses under a post-Sidr housing project funded by the Japanese government.

After interrogation of the arrested persons, 10 contractors were released and 11 others handed over to the Sadar thana for release against written undertaking.

Later, Sadar thana O/C M Ishak Ali demanded Tk 10,000 per person for releasing the detained contractors, the sources said.

On the night of July 29, Contractors Association secretary Shahadat Hussain allegedly went to the residence of O/C Ishak and gave him Tk 100,000 while negotiating the release of his fellow contractors.

After the members of Barguna Naval contingent became certain of the deal, Shahadat Hussain was picked up from his residence. Contractor Shahadat later gave a written statement in presence of executive magistrate Mohammad Motakabbir and admitted his guilt to the journalists present.

When contacted over mobile phone, O/C Ishaq said he is now on leave and knows nothing about the bribe.

Police Super M Tanvir Haider Chowdhury, however, said action would be taken against the O/C after inquiry.