The New Nation - Internet Edition

Most of major political leaders remain absent in region on Eid Day in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Most of the major political leaders and former lawmakers of Barisal region including 23 constituencies of National Parliament were absent in their native areas and constituencies on Eid day and six of them passed Eid in the prison.

Conflicts between the pro and anti reformist factions of BNP and AL, allegations about corruption and misuse of power, conviction awarded by courts, wanted by law enforcing agencies mainly caused absences of the prominent political leaders in this region.

Those who observed Eid in their native areas were mostly silent and limited within close associates, followers and family members and even Zahiruddin Swapan, one of the pro-reformist BNP leader and lawmaker assaulted and faced factional clashes after going in his constituency to observe Eid.

On other hand new faces, winter or guest birds of political arenas , nomination aspirants for upazila or National Oarkuanebtart polls were most active in their respective constituencies and native areas during Eid even printing colorful poster, hoisting banners to greet their voters.

Reports collected from different region said that Air Vice Marshal Altaf Hussein Chowdhury (rtd.), former Home, Commerce Minister and Lawmaker, Advocate Majibor Rahman Sarwar, former BCC Mayor and law maker, Hafiz Ibrahim, Nazimuddin Alam, Matiur Rahman Talukdar, former BNP lawmakers, Pankaj Devnath, Swechchasebok League general secretary observed Eid Ul Fitr under custody.

Anwar Hussein Monju, former Communication Mminister, Lawmaker and chairman of Jatiya Party faction, Begum Tasmima Hussein, his wife and former JP lawmaker, Abul Hasanat Abdullah, former chief whip and Barisal district AL secretary, Barrister Shahjahan Omar, former Land, Law Minister and Lawmaker, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, central Juboleague chairman, Nurul Islam Moni, former BNP lawmaker remained absconding since declaration of emergency.

AKM Jahangir, Former Minister and AL lawmakers, ASM Firoz, former AL lawmaker and Mawlana Delwar Hussein Saidi, former Jamati lawmaker, also absent in their respective constituency on Eid day as they were busy to perform ritual of Omra Haj.

Syed Moazzem Hussein Alal, central Jubodal secretary, went London to observe Eid with his son and yet not retuned.

Amir Hussein Amu, Tofael Ahmed central presidium members of AL , Rashed Khan Menon, president Workers Party, Major Hafizuddin Ahmed (rtd.), former commerce, water resources mnister,lawmaker and leader of the reformist faction of BNP, Shah Md. Abul Hussein, pro-reformist former finance and planning state minister, Syed Shahidul Huq Jamal, former BNP whip,Elen Bhutto, Rustam, Ali Farazi, former BNP lawmakers, Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukdar, AL lawmaker, were absent in their constituency on Eid day.

Mosharraf Hussein Shahjahan, former BNP minister for religious affairs, Zahiruddin Swapan, central information and research secretary, Abul Hussein Khan, central Jubodal vice chairman and former lawmaker, Mosharraf Hussein Mongu, Shahidul Alam Talukdar, former BNP lawmakers, Ruhul Amin Howladar, Jatio Party (Ershad) secretary general, Delwar Hussein, former AL lawmaker, Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, JP (Naziur) leader observed Eid Ul Fitr in their respective constituencies.

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated with enthusiasm in Rajshahi

BSS, Rajshahi

The holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest Muslim festival, was celebrated in the northern city and its adjacent areas with due religious fervour and enthusiasm today. Streams of people- young, old and children-rushed to the nearest Eidgahs, mosques and open places in the morning to offer their Eid prayers.

After the prayers, special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for the peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as greater welfare of the Muslim Ummah. The main Eid jamaat was held at Hazrat Shah Mukhdum at Central Eidgah Maidan at 9.00 AM while the second largest at Shaheb Bazar Zero Point at 8.45 AM.

Rajshahi City Mayor AHM Khairuzzman Liton senior divisional and district-level officials and local elite offered their Eid prayers at the two Eid-jamaats, especially the Central Eidgah. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) decorated the city's important points and road islands with National and colourful flags inscribed with "Eid Mubarak" both in Bangla and Arabic and illuminated important buildings marking the celebration. Besides, some other big Eid jamaats in the city were held at Hatemkha, Stadium ground, Police Line parade ground, Tikapara Eidgah, Mohisbathan Eidgah math, Upashahar Eidgah Moidan, RUET campus and Rajshahi University campus.

Seedlings of Aman paddy distributed in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has taken up a plan to distribute the seedlings of late variety Aman paddy (Najirshal) among the small and marginal farmers of Sadar and Fulchari Upazila of the district during the current month under post-flood Agri-Rehabilitation Programme phase-1.

Under this programme a total of 270 small and marginal farmers of the upazila would be given the seedlings of Aman paddy free of cost in order to make up their losses caused by recent floods, sources said. Deputy Commissioner Abu Muhammad Yousuf formally inaugurated the programme by distributing the seedlings to some farmers on the premises of Sadar Upazila Parishad of the town here on Thursday as chief guest and incharge of Gaibandha Army Camp Major M-Jahangir Alam and deputy director of DAE ANM Mizanur Rahman were present as special guests.

Presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer M Arif Nazmul Hasan, the function was also attended, among others, by crops production specialist Satya Brata Paul, upazila agriculture officer M Mojaffar Rahman and field level agri-officials.

Role of civil society vital for ensuring quality education

BSS, Rangpur

Speakers at a views-exchanging meeting have asked the civil society members for playing their vital roles in ensuring quality and high standard of education for building a developed nation worthy for the 21st century.

They said this while addressing the meeting titled "Role of Civil Society in Ensuring Quality and Standard of Primary Education" organised by Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) at Hena Memorial Mohila College in Mithapukur upazila town on Monday. President of Mithapukur Upazila Teachers' Association Shah Habib-e-Azam chaired the meeting that was addressed by acting Principal of the college Khwajanur Rahman as the chief guest.

Area manager of Manusher Janno Foundation Gobind Kumar Mandal, its Monitoring officer Enayet Ullah, Executive Director of SAFE Abdul Mokshed Bahalul as the special guests. Headmasters and teachers of the government and registered non-government primary schools attended the views-exchanging meeting.

The speakers asked all concerned teachers to conduct their moral obligation and responsibility with utmost sincerity to disseminate proper knowledge to the students in the educational institutions for producing brilliant citizens.

They also said that the civil society could play the most vital roles in ensuring quality and standard of education at the primary level through their sincere efforts and awareness building activities.

1.16 lakh hectares land brought under Rabi crops cultivation

BSS, Joypurhat

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target to bring 1.16 lakh hectares under Rabi crops cultivation in the district in the current season (2008- 09).

The DAE sources told BSS that steps had already been taken to ensure supply of quality seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other necessary inputs at fair prices among the farmers to make the programme a success.

The DAE has also fixed the production target at 9.89 lakh metric tons of crops. The sources said Boro paddy will be cultivated on 67,304 hectares, wheat on 1350 hectares, potato on 37,000 hectares, maize on 1500 hectares, mustard on 200 hectares, sweet potato on 350 hectares, vegetables on 5000 hectares, ground nut on 10 hectares, pulses on 50 hectares, green pea on 400 hectares, onion on 800 hectares, garlic on 200 hectares, chili on 500 hectares, coriander on 50 hectares and sesame on 900 hectares and other crops.

2 held, phensidyl, ganja recovered in Comilla

BSS, Comilla

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two persons and recovered 20 bottles of Phensidyl and 3 kg ganja at Paulpara bridge area in the district on Tuesday.

The arrested were identified as Azadur Rahman Azad, 30, son of Abdul Quddus and Monir Hossain,18, son of late Anwar Hossain. Acting on a tip-off, a RAB team raided the area and recovered Phensidyl and ganja from the arrested persons.

A case was filed with concerned police station in this connection.

Eight shops gutted, Tk 13 lakh valuables damaged in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

At least eight shops gutted on Friday early hours at Sadhur Battala Mazaar Market of the city. Fire fighters of Barisal fire brigade station controlled the flame after two hours efforts.

The fire originated from electric short circuit of a restaurant destroyed and damaged 8 shops included restaurants, tea stalls, grocery shops, stationary and first food items worth Tk. 13 lakhs.

BCC Mayor Shawkat Hossain Hiron along with local ward councilors visited the spot on Eid day and gave consolation to the affected people.

News briefs

23 arrested in Rangpur

RANGPUR, Oct 6: Police arrested 23 persons including suspected criminals from different parts of the district during the past 24 hours till 6 AM this morning. The arrested persons include thieves, absconding accused in different cases, warrantees, drug peddlers and traffickers, dacoits, murderers, cheats, muggers, gamblers, suspected criminals and anti-social elements, police said. Police also seized ganja, Phensidyl, local made wine and other illegal things and recovered stolen goods during the drives. Of the total, Kotwali police arrested eight, Gangachara three, Taraganj two, Mithapukur one, Pirganj six, Pirgachha two and Kawnia police arrested one person during the period, reports BSS.

Obituary

CHITTAGONG, Oct 6: Alhaj M A Ansari, General Secretary of Bangladesh Muslim League (BML), Chittagong city unit, died of old age complications at Chittagong Medical College Hospital on Wednesday. He was 62. He left behind his wife, two sons, one daughter and a large number of relatives as well as political colleagues to mourn his death. After Namaj-e-Janaza on Thursday, the body of Ansari, also Vice-President of the Federation of Chittagong City Shop Owners Association, was laid to eternal rest at Jangi Shah Mazar graveyard in the port city, reports BSS.

Police officials rewarded

BARISAL, Oct 6: Twelve police officials have been rewarded for their good performances in rounding up warranted accused and curbing drug abuses in this southern city last year. According to official sources, Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner, seven ASIs and one Habilder of Barisal Model Thana received the award. They have been given cash money and presented with divisional rewards of the police department here at a simple ceremony. The police officials included second officer of Kotwali Thana SI Anwar Hossain, SI Swapan Kumar Das TSI Shafi, TSI Mosharrof, ASI Helaluzzaman, ASI Delwar Hossain, ASI Md Kashem ASI Md. Bellal Sheikh, ASI Ashutosh Das, ASI Jewel and ASI Subal and Habilder Sirajul Islam, reports BSS.

2 pickpockets arrested

LALMONIRHAT, Oct 6: Railway thana police arrested two pickpockets red-handed while picking pockets of the passengers from Lalmonirhat rail station in the district town on Sunday, Police sources said. Officer-in-Charge of Lalmonirhat Railway thana police told BSS that a special police patrol party arrested the pickpocks while they were picketing the pockets of two railway passengers in the station. They were identified as Saju Mian alias Sobuj of Gobindaganj upazila in Gaibandha district and Abu Bakar of Barobari area under Sadar upazila in Lalmonirhat district, reports BSS.

40 hurt in BNP rival groups’ clash in Barisal

BARISAL, Oct 6: At least 40 activists were injured, 10 of them critically, in a clash between rival groups of BNP in Gournadi Upazila today, police said. They said the clash began at 11.30 AM between the activists of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and a group of a BNP faction, led by ex-MP Jahiruddin Swapan, over establishing supremacy in the party. During the clash, both groups pelted stones and brickbats at each other, leaving at least 40 activists injured, 10 of them critically. Most of the injured belong to the group of a BNP faction, the sources added, reports BSS.