The New Nation - Internet Edition

BIWTC arranges special steamer services for homebound passengers

BSS, Barisal

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) has arranged 11-day special steamer services in addition to normal services on Dhaka-Barisal-Khulna routes for the homebound passengers on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Fitr.

The special steamer services will begin operation from September 25 and will be continued till October 5 next, official sources said. Besides, BIWTC will operate sea-truck ST Khijir-2 from Barisal BIWTA ghat as usual.

The registration first and second class passengers of the special steamers has began today and they will be able to collect their at their convenient time. PS Ostrich, PS Lepcha, PS Masud, PS Turn and MV Shela will carry passengers on this route according to their respective schedules during the period. One regular and one special steamer will start their journey from Dhaka in the evening on September 25, the sources added. Besides, PS Masud will leave Barisal at 6.30 PM on September 30 for Khulna and special steamer PS Turn will leave Dhaka at 7.00 PM on September 30 for Morelgonj via Barisal and a special steamer MV Shela will leave Dhaka at 8 PM for Morelgonj via Barisal. On other hand, regular steamers PS Lepcha, PS Ostrich and MV Shela will leave Dhaka for Barisal and will again leave Barisal day for Khulna, Morelgonj and Hularhat at 6.30 PM from October 1 to October 4.

Besides, ST Khijir-8 will run from Barisal to Maju Chowdhurir Hat and ST Khijir-7 from Ilisha to Maju Chowdhurir Hat regularly during the period.

1912.50 tonnes of rice under VGF being distributed in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

The government has taken up Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme for the destitute and distressed families in all the seven upazilas of the district in the month of holy Ramadan. Under this programme a total of 1912.50 metric tonnes of rice are being distributed to the 1,27,500 distressed families of seven upazilas including three pourashavas of the district office sources said.

Some 16,500 families have been selected in Sadulapur Upazila, 19,500 in Sadar upazila, 22,500 in Sundargonj upazila, 13,500 in Fulchari upazila, 1500 in Gaibandha Pourashava, 1500 in Gobindagonj Pourashava and 1500 in Sundargonj Pourashava. Each of the families is getting 15 kg of rice under this programme.

Deputy Commissioner Abu Muhammad Yousuf formally inaugurated the special VGF programme on the premies of Faridpur UP parishad of Sadullapur upazila in the district on September 19 by distributing rice among the some beneficiaries as chief guest.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdul Wahed, upazila project implementation officer Kamrul, Ahsan, UP Chairman Khademul Islam Khudi, public representatives and the local elite including the journalists of print and electronic media were also present on the occasion.

Rich tributes paid to Dr Ibrahim

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

A discussion meeting on "The life and ideals of Late Dr Mohammad Irbahim" was held at the conference room of Netrakona Diabetic Hospital on September 6 last. Netrakona Diabeic Samity organised the meeting to mark the 19th death anniversary of Founder of Bangladesh Diabetic Samity Dr Professor Mohammad Ibrahim.

Chaired by President of Netrakona Diabetic Samity Dr M A Hamid, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Additional District Magistrate Netrakona Dr Piar Mahmud, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Netrakona Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Netrakona Mohammad Mojaheed Hussain Civil Surgeon Netrakona Dr Sudir Chandra Banik and General Secretary of the Netrakona Diabetic Samity Muzammel Haque Bachchu. The speakers paid glowing tribute/to the memory of the former National Professor Late Dr Mohammad Ibrahim and recalled his outstanding contribution in the country's health sector. Later, the meeting was followed by an Iftar Mahfil and special prayer seeking divine blessings for peace and salvation of the departed soul of Late Dr Ibrahim and progress and prosperity of the nation.

Drive against catching of fish fries conducted in Netrakona

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

Netrakona District Administration has launched a special operation in the downstream areas of the district to stop catching of fish-fries from the open waterbodies there recently.

A mobile team of law-enforcing agencies headed by Magistrate Nazrul Islam conducted two-day-long operation against fish fry catchers in different haors of Khaliajuri upazila under Netrakona district. Police and local sources said, the haors inclded Bowali, Maghan, Gobindasree and Ranicapur. During the operation, the mobile team of law-enforcers rounded up 17 fishermen on charge of catching fish-fries from the open water-bodies violating the government restriction on fish-fry catching.

The mobile team also seized many banned nylon-thread made fishing nets popularly known as "current-nets" worth about Taka eight lakh from the possession of the arrested fishermen. Later, the seized current nets were burnt to ashes at Khaliajury upazila parishad office premises in presence of the on-duty Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer of the Khaliajuri upazila, the sources said.

Iftar party held in Mymensingh

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

The Iftar Mahfil of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League was held at Mymensingh Bar Auditorium on 20th September. All the district Awami League leaders, Activists of Jubo League and other front organisation activists were present at the Iftar mahfil.

Meanwhile, Iftar Mahfil of Mymensingh District Nagorik Andolon and Unnayan Sangram Parishad was held at office on 20th September. D.C Mymensingh Md. Ziaur Rahman Khan was present as chief guest. President Nagorik Andolon and other members were present on the occasion.

Body recovered in Rupganj

Our Correspondent, Rupganj

A dead body of a young girl was recovered by the Rupganj Thana Police on 21st September last at about 8 AM from a water body behind an abandoned building of Telapara village under Rupganj in Narayanganj.

The dead body could not be identified till the writing of report and was sent to the morgue for autopsy. The police registered a case in this connection. According to the locals, the girl might have been raped before killing by the miscreants.

Mobile court realises Tk 1,95,000 as fine in Kishoreganj

Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj

A mobile court on Saturday in separate raids at Bhairab port town realised Tk. 195,000/- (One lakh ninety-five thousand in fine from eight business houses including Semai factory.

The mobile court led by first class Magistrate, Ahasan Habib, Ruhul Amin and Abu Hasnat Md Maimuddin comprising the officials of BSTG, law enforcing agency (RAB) and District Administration, during their anti-adulteration drive found sweetmeat shops and Biscuit Factory (Bakary) were preparing food items in unhygiemic condition.

Mass awareness to reduce child mortality underscored

BSS, Mymensingh

Speakers at a launching function has said that 50 percent child mortality could be reduced through motivating the people, ignorant about their children's health.

About 13 percent children are suffering from malnutrition and a large portion of these death could be contained through 'breast feeding', said the speakers while addressing the launching ceremony of Infant Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Project funded by the World Vision, Bangladesh, at a city hotel on Monday. Presided over by Somarendra Sangma, Manager of the World Vision, the inaugural ceremony was addressed by Mymensingh Civil Surgeon SM Shamsul Alam as the chief guest. Mymensingh Press Club Secretary Advocate Mozammel Haque, Dr Jayonta Kumar Nath, Mrigen Hagidak, Dr Selim Babar and Manager of IYCF Dr Md. Alamgir were present as special guests.

The IYCF, a four year long project will work in Haluaghat and Dhubaura in Mymensingh, Jhenaigati and Shribordi in Sherpur while Durgapur in Netrokona district. Some 61,750 beneficiaries including 49,750 direct and 12,000 indirect have been targeted in those upazilas. The project beneficiaries are-malnourished children, Low Birth-weight Children, Pregnant Mothers, Lactating Mothers, Health Service Providers, Family and Community Leaders.

The IYCF is going to facilitate five-baby friendly hospital in the project area, it was also said.

News briefs

2 extortionists arrested in Faridpur

FARIDPUR, Sept 23: Police arrested two extortionists while demanding extortion from a businessman at Mujurdia Bazar under Boalmari upazila of the district on Monday. The arrested were identified as Sagor Hossain,39 and Mezbah,30. Police said, the arrested persons demanded extortion from the businessman in the guise of police. One of the businessman suspectly informed the police, reports BSS.

Firearms seized in Madaripur

MADARIPUR, Sept 23 :Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) seized two firearms in a raid at Duttakendua Kalabagan area under Shibchar upazila on Monday. Sources said, acting on a tip-off, the elite force seized a revolver and a pipe-gun in abandoned state. A case was filed with Shibchar police station in this connection, reports BSS.

One killed in Rangpur road accident

RANGPUR, Sept 23 : One person was killed in a road accident at CO Bazar point on Dhaka-Dinajpur highway under Kotwali thana in the city here on Tuesday. Police sources said the accident took place when a Dinajpur bound undefined microbus hit a bicycle at the point at about 11 am today and seriously injured cycle rider Abdul Matin, 45, son of Akbar Ali of village Kursha Balrampur under Sadar upazila of Rangpur. The local people rushed the injured to Rangpur Medi8cal College Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. A case was filed in this connection with Kotwali police station, the sources said, reports BSS.