The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rail Communication in very bad shape for long in Kurigram

Our Correspondent, Kurigram

Rail communication between Kurigram and other nearest districts of the country is in bad shape for a long time.

Sources said, passengers are very much disappointed at this rail route from Tista to Chilmari and they are being deprived day by day. Railway department is also loosing revenue from the route.

Trains derail often on this route many times in a month for not having sufficient slippers, stones under even by the side of the rail lines.

From Tista to Chilmari rail route is now very dangerous for unfit rail lines. It is not fit for plying trains properly. Two trains are running, one in the morning another of noon from this route but the movements of traines remained suspended for many days but train service resumed at the request of joint forces here. There are about fifty over rial bridge at the rail route. But in the middle of Rajarhat-Tograihat-J-14 rail bridge condition is seriously damaged.

Train cannot run speeding on the bridge. Passengers become risky for the broken bridge. Railway authority also the admitted the miserable condition of the rail route Tista-Chilmary in greater Rangpur-Kawonia region.

They also told that as early Rangpur-Kawonia region. They also told that as early as possible the rail route must be repaired by turns.

7 get life-term for killing in Sherpur

UNB, Sherpur

Seven people were sentenced to life term imprisonment by a court here Tuesday in a murder case. The lifers are Miraz Ali, Giasuddin, Siraj Ali, Sobhan, Shahidul, Alangir and Suruj Kamar of Chuniarchar village in Sadar upazila.

The court also fined them Tk 5,000 each, in default, to suffer three months more in prison.

Another accused Muntaj Ali was acquitted as he died during the trial of the case.

According to the prosecution, the accused beat co-villager Manun Mia, 30, son of Mojnu Kamar, to death following a quarrel on August 23, 2004. Victim's wife Salma Akhtar filed a case against eight people. Police later submitted charge-sheet on June 30, 2005. After examining the records and 10 witnesses, District and Sessions Judge M Murshid Alam handed down the verdict.

Four inter-district robbers held in Habiganj

UNB, Habiganj

Police arrested four members of an inter-district dacoit gang from South Rajapur village in Madhabpur upazila early Wednesday.

The arrested robbers were identified as Abdur Rahman, 30, of Dariapur village, Ali Mia alias Selim, 27, of Adaoir village, Rafiqul Islam, 20, of Debnagar village and Jabed Mia, 25, of Deogaon village in Brahmanbaria district.

Police said, on secret information that some bandits were preparing to commit dacoity at the house of Shahjahan Mia of South Rajapur village they conducted drive in the village at about 2:30am and arrested them with the help of local people. A case was filed.

Betel-leaf farms in Rajshahi being infected by root-rotting disease

UNB, Rajshahi

Betel-leaf growers in the district are in frustration as their new plantations are being infected by root-rotting disease.

Growers said many small betel-leaf farms have already been totally damaged while hundred others are in danger of extinction due to the attack of the infectious disease.

Sources said the root-rotting disease has broken out in Mohanpur, Durgapur and Bagmara upazilas. According to the growers the disease usually breaks out during the winter season. The betel-leaf plants, affected by the disease, gradually turn yellowish and dry up within 15 days causing huge loss to the growers.

If a betel-leaf farm is destroyed by the disease once, betel plants are not grown properly on those lands. Betel-leaf is second most profitable crop after paddy in the area. Many marginal farmers maintain their livelihood by cultivating the betel-leaf. A grower, Abbas Sarkar, of Ratugram village in Durgapur upazila said, "I am in distress as my two betel-leaf farms, out of four, were destroyed by the disease which again started spreading recently." "The growers are losing interest in betel leaf plantations as they are facing loss, he added. Local growers alleged the authorities concerned despite repeated appeals failed to take any effective measures to combat the disease.

Betel leaf of Rajshahi is popular in home and abroad as it tastes sweet. Department of Agriculture Extension sources said the root-rotting disease frequently breaks out as the growers are unaware about its proper farming. They said steps are underway to combat the spread of the disease.

Court fix Oct 20 for charge frame hearing against CCC Mayor

UNB, Chittagong

A court here Thursday fixed October 20 for hearing on framing charges against Chittagong City Corporation Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury in two corruption cases.

Chittagong Special Tribunal Judge SM Solaiman fixed the date for charge frame hearing in the two cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

ACC filed the cases against the Mayor for corruption in fixing the rate of hire for the garbage carrying truck and for earth filling in the graveyard of Nasirabad area in the port city.

Meanwhile, the Judge relieved Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury from personal appearance in the court in a tax evasion case filed by National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Inquiry against RMO for issuing illegal medical certificate directed

BSS, Chittagong

District Civil Surgeon office

here has ordered to investigate into an allegation of issuing "motivated and illegal" medical certificate against Resident Medical Officer ( RMO) Dr Abdul Mabud of Anowara upazila health complex in the district.

Dr Jalal Ahmed , Civil Surgeon, Chittagong has directed the Deputy Civil Surgeon Chittagong Dr M Abu Tayeb to conduct the investigation and submit a report to this effect as soon as possible, official sources said.

The District Civil Surgeon (DCS) office has decided to investigate into the allegation brought by SM Anwarul Haq, son of Syed Abu Ahmed of Purba Barakhayeen village of the upazila against the RMO of Anowara upazila health complex.

Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr M Abu Tayeb told BSS today that he will visit the health complex on October 21 next to investigate the allegation.

Anwarul Haq, the petitioner complained that the RMO issued a medical certificate on October 9 to Kutubuddin, a relative of RMO who sustained injuries in a clash between two rival groups in Bhora Pukurpar area on October 4 last though the RMO was not on- duty on that day.

"Even the RMO issued the medical certificate by keeping in dark the committee members who was supposed to be informed before issuing such certificate," the petitioner claimed. On the basis of that 'illegal' certificate, Kutubuddin filed a criminal case accusing 14 persons of the petitioner's family and they have been facing police harassment.

BSCIC undertakes Tk 5.16 cr development project at Panchaboti

BSS, Narayanganj

The government has undertaken a plan to develop the infrastructural and utility service in Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Hosiery Industrial Estate at Panchaboti under Fatullah police station at a cost of Taka 5.16 crore during the current fiscal year.

BSCIC sources said, roads and drains, water pump and a bridge will be reconstructed and repaired under the project in the hosiery estate where 548 export oriented knit garment industries have been functioning. The reconstruction work will start in November and expected to be completed by December next.

The BSCIC hosiery industrial estate covers an area of 58.2 acres of land and established with a view to develop a hosiery belt to produce export oriented T- shirts and socks.

But subsequently the estate developed into an export oriented knit garment industries in 1999 to cater the growing demand of knit products in the international markets.

The sources said the 548 knit garments units at the BSCIC estate have earned foreign exchange equivalent to Taka 9,240 crore through apparel exports during 2007-2008 fiscal.

Saifuddin Shah new KU VC

Our Correspondent, Khulna

Professor Saifuddin Shah, acting VC of Khulna University was appointed Vice Chancellor for four years on Tuesday.

Official sources said the Ministry of Education appointed him VC in a circular issued on Tuesday.

Following the departure of the then VC Professor Dr Mahbubur Rahman, the Chancellor of the University temporarily appointed Professor Saifuddin Shah as VC of the Khulna University since 28th February last. He is honoured as 7th VC of the university since it established on 4th January 1987.

2 killed in Mymensingh road mishap

UNB, Mymensingh

Two people were killed and two others injured critically in a head on collision between a truck and a private car near Chorkhai bazaar in Sadar upazila early Wednesday.

Of the dead, one was identified as car passenger Royal, 25, while the name of the car driver could not be known immediately.

Police and witnesses said the accident occurred when the Dhaka bound truck collided with a Mymensingh bound private car at the point on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at about 2am, leaving car passenger Royal dead on the spot and injuring three others, including the car driver.

The injured were admitted to the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital in critical condition where the car driver, aged about 25, succumbed to his injuries.

Police seized the truck but its driver managed to flee.

One sentenced to death for killing wife in Tangail

UNB, Tangail

A special court here Tuesday sentenced a man to death on charge of killing his wife for dowry about six years ago.

The condemned convict is Abdul Awal of Sakhipur Dakkhinpara village in Sakhipur upazila.

According to the prosecution, Awal asked his wife Hamida Begum to bring dowry money from her parents and on her refusal he became furious and beat her to death on the night of August 30, 2002.

After the murder, Hamida's father Abdul Hye filed a case with the local police station. After examining the records and witnesses, Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Jesmin Anwar pronounced the verdict in the crowded courtroom.

One drowns in Gopalganj boat capsize

UNB, Gopalganj

A middle-age man drowned and his associate went missing in a boat capsize in Madaripur Beelroot canal near Sindhiaghat in Muksudpur upazila on Tuesday.

The deceased was identified as Mizanur Rahman, 40, of Tilchhara village in Kashiani upazila of the district. The name of his missing associate could not be known immediately.

Witnesses said the boat carrying Mizan and his associate sank in the mid canal caught by a strong current in the morning. Later, local people recovered the body of Mizan.

One gets life-term for violating minor girl in Tangail

UNB, Tangail

A special court here on Wednesday sentenced a man to life term imprisonment for violating a nine-year-old girl.

The court also fined the convict Sajon Miah of Dainya Chowdhury village in Sadar upazila Tk 10,000, in default, to suffer one year RI more.

According to the prosecution, Sajon raped the girl in an abandoned house on October 7, 2002. A case was filed.

After examining the records and witnesses, Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Jesmin Anwar handed down the verdict.

Month long traditional handicrafts fair begins in Pabna

UNB, Pabna

A month long traditional 'Dublia Handicrafts Fair' began at Dublia in Sadar upazila Tuesday.

Over 200 stalls have been established in the fair where various types of furniture and potteries were displayed. A circus show was also arranged in the fair.

Among others, assistant police super M Ehsan Hossain, Sadar thana OC Iqbal Shafi were present in the inaugural function.

National Girl Child Day observed in northern districts

BSS, Rangpur

The National Girl Child Day-2008 was observed here and other northern districts with much enthusiasm and in a befitting manner on Wednesday.

This year's slogan of the Day was 'Punishment to the Teasers, Freedom to the Girl Children'. The district and upazila level Women and Children Affairs Offices, Girl Child Advocacy Forum, Shishu Academies, educational institutions, different NGOs, socio-cultural, human rights and voluntary organizations chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the occasion.

The programmes included colourful rallies participated by students, government officials and employees, socio-cultural and NGO activists, distribution of leaflets, posters, different competitions, prize distribution and discussions.

In Rangpur, the main discussion meeting organised by Youth Ending Hunger, Rangpur Government College unit, was held in the college auditorium with its unit coordinator Zakir Ahmed in the chair.

Similar programmes were chalked out in the district and all upazila headquarters in Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Naogaon and Bogra districts.

News briefs

Youth man electrocuted in Madaripur

MADARIPUR, Oct 16: A young man was electrocuted at Dutta Kendua village in Sadar upazila on Tuesday. The victim was identified as Ashish Dash, 32, son of Santosh Dash of the village. Witnesses said Ashish died on the spot as he got electric shock while giving an electric connection to a Puja Mandap at noon, reports UNB.

Young man stabbed to death in Gazipur

GAZIPUR, Oct 16: A young man was stabbed to death by some miscreants in Barun area of Kapasia upazila Thursday morning. The deceased was identified as Helal, 32. Police said some assailants attacked Helal on his way home at about 9am and stabbed him to death. Police said Helal might have been killed following a previous enmity. A case was filed, reports UNB.

Two robbers held with guns in Bagerhat

BAGERHAT, Oct 16: Two alleged robbers were arrested along with two guns from Joymoni area of Sundarbans in Mongla upazila on Wednesday night. On secret information, Coast Guard Mongle Western Zone members arrested Alam Sheikh, 30, and Milton Sheikh, 22, when they along with their gang members were going to commit a dacoity in the area at about 8.30 pm. They also recovered two foreign made guns from their possession. The arrested robbers were taken to the local office of Mongla Coast Guard for interrogation, reports UNB.

VGF rice recovered in Sylhet

SYLHET, Oct 16: Police recovered some 2000 kgs of VGF rice from a shop at Muria union in Bianibazar upazila Wednesday. Acting on secret information, police recovered the government rice from the shop adjacent to Muria union parishad office in abandoned condition. A UP member and a guard went into hiding soon after the incident. A case was filed in this connection, reports UNB.

3 arrested with 19 bombs in C’nawabganj

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Oct 16: Three people were arrested along with 19 live bombs and bomb making materials from Bakharali village in Sadar upazila early Thursday. On secret information, RAB members raided the village and arrested Saiful, 42, Mahidur, 38, and Mohsin, 38, along with the bombs and bomb making materials. They were handed over to the police later. A case was filed, reports UNB.

Body of pregnant woman recovered in Gaibandha

GAIBANDHA, Oct 16: A pregnant woman was found dead at a ditch near Madanerpara Bazaar in Fulchhari upazila on Wednesday six days after she went missing. Police said Feroz Kabir brought his 2nd wife Shantana Begum, 21, to his house from the house of her father on October 9 and since then she remained missing. On information, police recovered the body of Shantana from the ditch on Wednesday morning. Family members of Shantana alleged that she might have been killed by her husband, who refused to marry her earlier though he had an affair with her. Feroz was compelled to marry Shantana following a court order six months ago. Feroz and his family members went into hiding. A case was filed, reports UNB.

Youth's body recovered in Chandpur

CHANDPUR, Oct 16: Police recovered the decomposed body of a youth from a water body at Fatehpur in Matlab North upazila Wednesday. Police said Masud Rana, 23, son of Rabiul Dorji of South Rarikandi village in the upazila, went missing since a man called him out of his house on October 5. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to hospital morgue for autopsy. Police said the youth might have been killed by his rivals following a past enmity. A case was filed, reports UNB.