The New Nation - Internet Edition

100-day employment generation programme going on in full swing at Sadullapur

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

The work of the special 100-day employment generation programme of the Government for the hand core poor and the seasonal unemployed people is going on in full swing in all the eleven unions of Sadullapur Upazila in the district from September 15 last.

The objective of the progrmame is to assist the poor including marginal farmers to overcome the Monga, job crisis and poverty-like situation in the district in the Bangla months of Ashwin and Kartik.

UNO office sources said a total of 478 projects involving Taka 6.23 crore are being implemented in the upazila for rural infrastructure development. The projects include construction and reconstruction of kutcha roads, bridge and culverts, earth filling and excavation and re-excavation of derelict ponds and canals and removing water hyacinth from the water bodies, 41 projects are being implemented at Rasulpur Union, 45 in Naldanga union, 45 in Damondarpur union, 49 in Jamalpur union, 63 in Faridpur union, 39 in Dhaperhat union, 54 in Idilpur union, 35 in Bhatgram union, 36 in Bangram union, 42 in Kamarpara union and 29 in Khordakomorpur union of the upazila. A total of 6230 men and women aged between 18 and 50 years from the poorer section were enlisted to complete the project works of the upazila. Each worker is getting Taka 100 per day as wage.

Deputy Commissioner Abu Muhammad Yousuf visited the project area of Jamudanga Sarkerpara under Damodarpur union of the upazila on October 19 and paid the wages of the labourers on the spot.

UNO Abdul Wahed, upazila project Implementation Officer M Kamrul Ahsan, UP Chairman M Saidur Rahman, project chairman, local elite were present on the occasion.

Two arrested with firearms in Jhenidah

UNB, Jhenidah

Police recovered two firearms and arrested two local terrorists from Nakol village in Shailakupa upazila on Monday night.

Acting on a tip-off, Detective Branch of police raided the village and arrested Azizul, son of Lutfar Rahman and Khalilur, son of Golam Mostafa.

According to their confessional statement, police later recovered two light guns and some bullets from the village. A case was filed.

In another incident, RAB members arrested two women along with huge banned Indian medicine, 20 pieces of Indian sari and 75 pieces of three-piece worth about Tk 5 lakh from a bus near a check post in front of Jubo Unnayan office at Laudia on Dhaka-Khulna highway on the same night.

The arrested were identified as Mahiron and Abeda Khatun.

FEMA to observe general election-08 independently

FEMA decided to observe the upcoming general election 2008 individually instead of working with the Election Working Group (EWG).

As part of preparation to monitor the election 2008, FEMA arranged several workshops around the country. In continuation of it, the fourth and last workshop on Developing Programme and Implementation Strategy was held at ISDI auditorium in the port city on Thursday last.

The day-long workshop successively participated by the leaders from ten districts of FEMA Chittagong committee discussed the draft plan presented at the workshop and explored ways and means of effectively implementing its election observation plans. Members of the FEMA national committee in collaboration with the regional leaders has decided to observe the upcoming general election 2008 separately instead of working with the Election Working Group (EWG) by using scientific methodologies Feroz M Hasan, President and Vice-president, Tarikul Ghani of FEMA attended the workshop as resource person on behalf of national committee. President of FEMA emphasized on the transparency and accountability of all monitoring organisations for the free and credible election.

FEMA, an election monitoring organization has sixty-four branches around the country. From 1995, FEMA played a pioneer role in domestic election monitoring. It has also been working on election law reforms and other activities with the objective of strengthening democracy and electoral process. It has also arranged training for political party agents.

One to die, 10 get life-term for killing student in Ctg

UNB, Chittagong

A speedy-trial tribunal here Thursday awarded death sentence to a youth and sentenced 10 others to life-term imprisonment for killing a student.

The condemned convict, Mohammad Ibrahim, was not in the dock. Four of the lifers are also on the run.

Each of the 10 lifers was also fined to pay Tk 10,000 or serve two more years in jail.

They are Sufal Hossain, Faisal Khan, Mohammad Rashed, Rupam Das, Mohammad Mijan, Ishtiaque Hossain, Shahidul Islam, Rabiul Hossain, Iqbal Hossain and Liton Biswas. The last four are fugitives.

According to prosecution in brief, the 11 persons stabbed Utpal Barua, a resident of Nasirabad in Painchlaish thana in the port city and an A-level student of a local English-medium school, to death near the United Nations Park here.

He was attacked while going to a coaching centre at Katalgang in city' s Panchlaish thana on the afternoon of March 4, 2006. Previous enmity is believed to be the cause of the killing. Victim's family filed a case with the local police station in this connection. The case was transferred to the divisional speedy trial tribunal from the judge court in January this year for its quick disposal.

After examining records and witnesses of the case, judge of the tribunal Mohammad Shafiqul Karim handed down the verdict in the absence of five accused.

RU Hon’s admission tests from Nov 16

RU Correspondent

The Admission Committee of Rajshahi University (RU) on October 14 decided to start admission process for the first year honours courses of the university for the sessions 2008-2009 from November 16.

Sale and submission of the application forms for admission will continue from October 18 to November 2.

This year the applicants from science must have 7.5 point in total at S.S.C and H.S.C while they need minimum 3.5 on each examination.

The applicants from arts have to acquire minimum 6.5points while need 3 point separately.

The applicants of commerce background need minimum 7point totally while 3.5 separately. To appear under Law faculty applicants must have 7 points separately 3.5 points.

If any student wanted to change faculty through admission test he needs more 0.5 point.

Earlier, on October 14 the admission committee of RU held a meeting at senate building where RU acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Mamnunul Keramat in the chair. During the meeting, RU registrar Prof Muhammad Shafi, faculty deans, departmental heads and other university high officials were present.

Death anniversary of poet Jibanananda Das observed in Barisal

UNB, Barisal

A 3-day program began on the occasion of 55th death anniversary of poet Jibanananda Das in the city on Wednesday.

'Jibananada Saran Udjapon Parishad' of Jatiya Kabita Parishad, Barisal unit, organized the program.

Mayor of Barisal City Corporation, Shawkat Hossain Hiron, inaugurated the program by unveiling the board of 'Jibananda Angan' at the residence of the poet in the city. The BCC mayor announced naming of West Bogra Road of the city as 'Jibanananda Sarani' on the occasion.

Deputy commissioner Mushfiq Ahmed Shamim was present at the function.

Udichi Shilpi Gosthi performed cultural function in the evening. The three-day program included discussion on life and works of the poet, recitation of his poems and cultural function.

Newsman dead

Our Correspondent, Panchagarh

Md. Robiul Islam Journalist of The daily 'Bhorer Kagoj' Atowary thana in Panchagarh and Vice President of Panchagarh Zilla Press club died of Liver Cancer on Thursday. He was 55.

He Left behind his wife, One daughter and a host of relatives, colleagues to mourn his death. He was buried at the Atowary central graveyard after Namaz-e-Janaza. senior Vice President of Panchagarh Zilla Press club Md Shoeb Ali Sabuj, General Secretary Md. Ariful Islam Pallab, Organising Secretary Md. Shajalal, Finance Secretary Md. Abdul Kayum in a separate statements expressed deep shock at the death of Robiul Islam and prayed for salvation of his departed soul. They also conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Obituary

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Afroza Begum, 44, wife of A KM Shahjahan, Assistant Professor of political Science and former Principal in charge of Barisal Islamia College and leader of 4 party alliance and Amir of Islami Oikya Jote and Khelafat Majlis, died of prolonged disease at Smarita Hospital of Dhaka on Tuesday early hours.

She left behind her husband, 2 sons, 2 daughters, relatives and well wishers.

Her dead body was brought to Barisal on Tuesday morning and she was buried at Barisal Muslim gravgeyard at afternoon after holding Namaj-e-Janaja.

A condolence meeting and prayer for the blessings of the departed souls of Afroza Begum was held at Barisal Islamia College on Tuesday noon.

Leaders of the College Teachers Association, four party alliance and other organisations expressed their deep condolence.

Call to voice against domestic violence

Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj

Bandarban Society and Bangladesh National Women's Lawyers Association (BNWLA) jointly organised a workshop on Voice against Domestic Violence held at Castle Salam International Conference hall on Wednesday noon.

Sanjida Khanam, Executive Director of the Bandhan Society presided over the workshop and advocate Hasina Rashid, Director of BNWLA attended as chief guest. It was addressed among others, by Sadrul Hasan Majumder (Programme Manager), Advocate Tajul Islam, Press Club President Kaji Shaheen Khan, Alam Sarowar Tito, Advocate Shaha Azizul Haq, Advocate Tamanna Khan and AK Nasim Khan.

News briefs

Two fake DB police arrested in Goalanda

Goalanda (Rajbari), Oct 23 : Two fake DB police were arrested from near Daulatdia brothel on Wednesday. Police said three people, identifying themselves as Detective Branch(DB) of police halted two youths-Bulbul and Mamun and searched their bodies. At one stage they took away Tk 7,500 in cash and a mobile phone set from Bulbul. When the frauds were fleeing local people caught two of them - Khorshed Ali Mollah and Nizam Mondol - after a hot chase and handed them over to police. A case was filed against them with the Goalanda ghat police station, reports UNB.

One shot dead by BSF in Comilla border

Comilla, Oct 23 : Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a Bangladeshi citizen at Kathalia frontier village in Chouddagram upazila on Thursday morning. BDR quoting local people said BSF troops shot Ana Miah, 28, son of late Ali Azam, to death when he went the to the Kathalia border area at about 8:30am. BSF later dragged away the body of Ana Miah into their territory, one of the witnesses said. On information, BDR Commander of Kotbari sector Col M Nakibur Rahman visited the spot, reports UNB.

2 PDB engrs sent to jail

Kishoreganj, Oct 23 : A court here on Wednesday sent two engineers of Power Development Board to jail in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. District and Sessions Judge Malik Abdullah Al Amin sent Assistant Engineer of PDB M Anwarul Islam and Sub Assistant Engineer Sunil Chandra Shaha, who were on bail, to jail when they appeared before the court and prayed bail for the second time. According to the complaint, joint forces arrested the two engineers when they were taking Tk 9,000 in bribe from a resident, M Obaidur Rahman, of Jagannathpur Uttarpara in Bhairab upazila for installing electric pole in the area on July 15, 2007, reports UNB.

Fire guts godowns, shops in Faridpur

Faridpur, Oct 23 : At least 17 jute godowns and shops were gutted in a devastating fire at Bara Bazaar in Boalmari upazila on Monday afternoon. Local people said the fire started in a jute godown from an electric short circuit at about 3 pm and soon engulfed the other adjacent shops and godowns. On information, fire fighters from Sadar and Boalmari upazila headquarters rushed to the spot and doused the fire after one and half hours of frantic efforts with the help of local people. Noresh Karmakar, Officer-in-charge of Boalmari Thana, said that the extent of loss from the fire could go up to Tk 2 crore, reports UNB.

2 get life for killing in Moulvibazar

Moulvibazar, Oct 23 : A court here on Wednesday sentenced two people to life term imprisonment and another to two years in a murder case. The court also fined the lifers-Mokhles Miah and Tourid Miah-Tk 5,000 each, in default, to suffer one year RI more. Mina Begum, wife of Rakib Ali of Satijhirgaon village in Kamalganj upazila, was sentenced to two years imprisonment for helping Mokhles and Tourid in killing her husband. She was also fined Tk 1,000 or to serve jail for one year more. Of the accused, Mokhles and Tourid were tried in absentia while Mena Begum was present in the dock when the judgement was pronounced, reports UNB.

Minor girl drowned in Madaripur

Madaripur, Oct 23 : A minor girl drowned at a pond at Mostafapur village in Sadar upazila on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Eshi, 4, daughter of Maniruzzaman Hawlader, resident of Bagerpara area of the district town. Family sources said the girl came to visit her grandmother's house at the village and drowned after falling into the pond. She died on the way to Sadar hospital, reports UNB.