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RU Hon’s admission test: 3,42,119 vie for 3,180 seats

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

Rajshahi University authority has earned taka 3 crore 42 lakh 11 thousands 900 through selling of honours admission forms for 2008-'09 academic year.

On an average around 107 applicants will vie for one seat in the upcoming admission tests of the Rajshahi Universality (RU) for the session of 2008-2009.

A total of 3, 42,119 applications for 47 departments under 8 faculties were submitted against 3,180 seats on the last date of submission forms .

Officials sources said that 73,351 forms were submitted for Science Faculty while 63,466 for Business Studies faculty , 87,582 for Social Science Faculty, 5,8248 for Arts faculty, 16,022 for Law Faculty, 24,963 for Biological Science Faculty and 19,487 for Agricultural Faculty were submitted by the candidates.

The highest 17,042 forms were submitted at Marketing department while lowest 665 forms were submitted at the Music and Dramatics department.

A total of 275 students will vie for one seat at Pharmacy department for available 40 seats while 244 students will compete against one seat at Mass Communication and Journalism department.

Two awarded death sentences and 19 get life-term for murder in Barisal

Our Correspondents, Barisal

A trial court in Patuakhali awarded death sentences to two accused and life term to other 19 in sensational Jasim murder case.

The judgment was declared 14 years after the murder and Munir Hossain, Yusuf Chan Mia and Harendra Chandra Shil, three of 31 accused died in jail before ending the trial.

The court also acquitted Zahir Hossain, Ershadul Hossain, Zakir Muhammad, Shahidul Islam, Muhammad Ali Chowkidar, Idris Ali Howladar and Mustafa Gazi, other seven accused from the charges.

Gias Uddin Ahmed, judge of the special tribunal in Patuakhali, handed down this verdict after examining 18 witnesses and other evidences.

The death sentenced convicts were Fakrul Alam Taru and absconding Mustafa Peayada.

The 19 life term awarded convicts were Khokon Sikdar,Nandalal Sikdar,Ashraf Sikdar, Fazlul Huq Sikdar, Shalam Sikdar,Babul Sikdar, Khokon Biswas, Alauddin Biswas, Abdul Barek, Rokanuzaman, Habib, Sobahan,Ibrahim, Masud,Abdur Rob Howladar,Santosh Chandra Shil,Mustafa Gazi,Yusuf Member and Omar Shahin Tipu.

Each of these 19 also fined Tk. 20 thousand or to suffer more 1 year imprisonment in default.

Prosecution story in brief was that Jasimuddin Sikdar of Pankhali village under Galachipa upazila of Patukhali was abducted by the accused on October 4, 1994 over land dispute.

Three days later dead body of the victim was found lying on Peyadar Char shoal on October 7.

Makbul Ahmed Master, elder brother of the victim while rushed to inform police to recover the dead body, the miscreants then snatched the dead body and cut to several pieces threw in the river.

Makbul lodged a murder case without mentioning any name of accused on October 10, 1994 with Galachipa police station.

Police submit a charge sheet against 9 accused and after objection against that charge sheet from the prosecution side, Sub Inspector Mizanur Rahman of crime investigation department (CID) reinvestigating the case submitted chargesheet against 31 accused in August 20 1998.

DAE takes massive Rabi cultivation programme in Mymensigh

BSS, Mymensingh

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has a taken massive Rabi crops cultivation programme in the district in the current season.

Under the programme, a total of 2,97,710 hectares have been brought under different varieties of Rabi crops cultivation with a production target of 11,58,286 metric tons. DAE sources said, of targeted land, Boro paddy will cultivated on 2,32, 500 hectares, Aus paddy on 51,274 hectares, wheat on 600 hectares, maize on 730 hectares, Potato on 5,000 hectares, sweet potato on 750 hectares, sugarcane on 560 hectares, mustard on 5,000 hectares, lentil on 800 hectares and Khesaree on 500 hectares.

The DAE will set up 780 demonstration plots for IRRI-Boro paddy and wheat for motivating the farmers. Necessary measures have been taken to ensure supply of requisite quantity of seeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs to the growers at fair prices.

Woman drug peddler held with phensidyl in Rajshahi

RU Correspondent

The Motihar thana police of Rajshahi arrested a woman drug trader with 32 bottle of phensidyl on Tuesday from Bot Tola near Rajshahi University rail station Bazar.

The arrested was identified as Aklima Akter (28) daughter of Ibrahim Mia of Isobpur, Sipaipara under Chargat thana.

On secret information, ASI Nazrul Islam and ASI Jahangir Alam with their force scarched Aklima's body and recovered 32 bottle of phensidyl from her possession.

Police sources said, she was carrying phensidyl from Chargat via RU rail station to a drug businessman Shohidul of the village Muladuli, Isshordi.

Drug trader Aklima confessed to the reporters on the spot that she was also arrested before by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and imprisoned more than one month in the same connection adding that recently she has been freed form detention.

A case has been registered with Motiher thana Under Narcotic Control Act in this connection.

Robbers loot valuables in Rangamati

Our Correspondent, Rangamati

A gang of armed robbers looted cash and a mobile set from Principal of Kharnafully College at Sakrachhari area on Ghagra-Boroichhari road recently.

The gang of dacoits equipped with modern arms intercepted the jeep carrying Mominul Islam, Principal of Kharnafully College at Sakrachhari area at around 8.30 PM on November 2 while he was returning home to Kaptai Upazila from Rangamati Sadar and looted Taka 20,300 and a mobile set, police said.

The victim filed a case with Kaptai Police Station in this connection.

PhD degree conferred

BAU Correspondent, Mymensingh

Md. Abdur Rouf, Senior Scientific Officer, Hill Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute recently obtained Ph.D degree from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The title of his dissertation was "Effects of growing conditions and management practices on seed production of cauliflower". He worked under the supervision of internationally renowned Professor of Horticulture Dr. M.A. Rahim. He carried out his research works at the Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The findings of his research work will be helpful for quality seed production and will play a vital role in seed production of cauliflower at farmers' level.

The author joined in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joyebpur, Gazipur as a Scientific Office of Horticulture Research Centre in 1995. Since the beginning of his professional career, he has been working in the field of vegetables and vegetable seed production.

JP launches election campaign from Rangpur

BSS, Rangpur

Former President and Jatiyo Party (JP) Chairman Alhaj Hussein Muhammad Ershad on Tuesday said his party will ensure uniform development of all regions in the country including Rangpur if his party is voted to power. He thanked the Election Commission for announcing the election schedule and added that there is no confusion about holding of the elections on December 18 next and people want his party to be in power once again for their developments.

Ershad said JP will take part in the elections as a part of the Mohajyote and the process of seat sharing will be resolved after return of Awami League chief and Mohajyote leader Sheikh Hasina soon.

"I hope, JP will get more seats now from the Mohajyote and there will be no problem in resolving the seat- sharing issue as my party and other Mohajyote parties will put maximum emphasis in making the nominated candidates winners in the constituencies," he said.

He said this while formally launching his party's campaign for the December 18 general elections through a series of daylong roadside meetings and public contacts in his own city of Rangpur till Monday night and other programmes in Rangpur and Nilphamari today.

Terming himself as a very lucky one, Ershad thanked Almighty Allah for allowing him to launch his election campaign once again from Rangpur and asked the people of Rangpur to vote for JP like in the past to ensure good governance and national developments.

JP chairman addressed the roadside meetings and door to door contacts in Ashratpur, Mahiganj Bazaar, Satmatha, Shalban Mistripara, Jummapara, Islampur, Medical Purbo Gate, CO Bazaar, Dhap Lalkuthi, Keranipara Mour, Rampura, Parbotipur, Central Bus Terminal, Ershad Mour, Mulatol and Pourashava Bazaar in the city Monday.

Besides, he addressed roadside meetings at Taraganj and Ekorchali Bazaar in Rangpur and two other meetings at Syedpur and Nilphamari towns today before departing for Dhaka this afternoon. He also talked to the common people including distressed women and men and asked about their whereabouts while conducting his door to door and wayside public contacts as a part of his launching election campaign.

Ershad said that there is no alternative to JP for the overall development of the country and the people from all walks in the society want to vote his party to power in the upcoming general elections.

He thanked the Rangpur people for voting for his candidates while he had been in jail during the 1991 and 1996 general elections and also for his brother Golam Mohammad Kader in Sadar Constituency in the 2001 elections when he was barred from taking part in that elections.

"I owe to Rangpur people and, in return, my turn and last chance have come now to do something good for them and I ask the people of the area to vote for my party to bring it to power and in making me as President or the Prime Minister to serve you all," he said.

"There is doubt if anybody would become the President or Prime Minister of the country from Rangpur anytime in future or not, but, this is the time for the Rangpur people to vote for JP to make me, a son of Rangpur, the President or Prime Minister for your developments", Ershad said.

During the roadside meetings and public contacts, Ershad also acquainted himself as an MP candidate from Rangpur Sadar (Rangpur-3) parliamentary constituency for the upcoming general election and declared a package for smooth development of the country and its people.

The package include: constituting eight provinces, making Rangpur as a provincial capital, ensuring all- out developments of Rangpur in all sectors, eradicating monga once for all, rationing system for the poor, resolving residence problem of police members and many other programmes. Former JP MPs Alhaj Karim Uddin Bharsha, Mohammad Ali Sarker and Noor Mohammad Mandal, Secretary of Rangpur district unit of JP Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa, Mayor of Rangpur pourashava Abdur Rouf Manik, JP leaders Fakhruzzaman Jahangir, SM Yasir, Asif Shahriar and Nilphamari JP Leaders accompanied Ershad.

Jail Killing Day observed in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

The Jail Killing Day was observed in the district town on Monday with due respect as elsewhere in the country.

District Awami League and its front organizations chalked out the elaborate programmes to observe the day.

The programmes included hoisting of national flag at half mast and black flag atop party offices, wearing black badges, placing wreaths at the portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, offering special munajat and holding doa mahfil seeking peace of the departed souls of the four national leaders-Syed Nazrul Islam, Captain Mansur Ali, Tajuddin Ahmed and AHM Qamruzzaman.

A discussion was also held at the party office in the town yesterday with acting president of district AL Syed Shamsul Alam Hiru in the chair.

It was also addressed, among others, by vice- president of district AL Sadrul Kabir Angur, general secretary Abu Bakar Siddique, Rezaul Karim Reza, Shah Masud Jahangir Kabir Milan, Advocate Sultan Ali and Mahmmudul Haque Shahzada.

The speakers demanded execution of the verdict of the jail killing case immediately.

Jubo League district unit brought out a procession in the town marking the day.

Mobile Court realises Tk 15380 as fine from Muktagacha shops

Our Correspondent, Muktagacha

A Mobile Court led by the acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Reashat Al Waship (AC Land Muktagacha) along with officials conducted a Mobile Court at different shops and markets of Muktagacha Upazila and realised cash Tk. 15380 and 35kg courent net worth about Tk. 1 lakh as fines from the dishonest businessmen for the selling of adulterated and stale foods. 10 cases has been registered with Muktagacha Police station in this connection.

25 hurt in ICS-BCL clash in Sirajganj Govt College

BSS, Sirajganj

At least 25 students were injured today in a clash between Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Sirajganj Government College over establishing supremacy on the college campus.

Witnesses and police said the two organizations used brickbats, wooden sticks, hockey sticks and sharp weapons in the clash that erupted at about 11 am. The injured belonged to both the groups.

Shibir said its college unit president Shahadat Hossain was sent to Dhaka for treatment in critical condition. Others were under treatment at Sirajganj General Hospital.

The injured BCL activists were being treated at different clinics of the town, BCL sources said. Police said on information, they rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Additional law enforcers were deployed on the campus to avert any further untoward incident.

A tense situation was prevailing on the campus.

3 held, 10 sacks urea fertilizer seized in Satkhira

BSS, Satkhira

Police seized 10 sacks of urea fertilizers from a bus at Fulltola under Kaligonj upazila and arrested three persons in this connection here on Monday.

The arrested are Abdul Mozid, 45, Alamgir Hossain ,40, and Anowar Hossain ,38, all of village Bhadra under Sadar upazila of the district.

Police said, acting on a secret information, a team of the police led by officer-in-charge Farid Uddin raided the area and seized the fertilizers and arrested three persons.

Ganja worth Tk 3.5 lakh recovered in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

Police in a special raid recovered 4 sacks of ganja weighing 70-kg from Banti Kapasia Jugir Bhita area under Sundarganj upazila of the district on Monday.

Police said, acting on a tip-off, a team of Kanchipara police under Sundarganj upazila conducted the raid to a boat coming from a neighboring district in the area and recovered the ganja worth about Taka 3.50 lakh. Sensing the presence of the police, the two drug traders and the boat men managed to flee the scene.

A case was filed with Sundarganj thana in this connection.

36 held, drugs seized in Joypurhat

BSS, Joypurhat

Police in separate drives arrested 36 persons including two drug peddlers on various charges from different places in the district during the last 48 hours till Tuesday morning.

The arrested persons were absconding warrantees, cheats, thieves, drug-peddlers, accused persons in different cases and other anti-social elements, police said.

Police also recovered 21 litters of locally made wine, 4 bottles of phensidyl, 40 bags of banned Indian phosphate fertilizer and other illegal objects during the drives.

Of them, Joypurhat thana police arrested eight persons, Panchbibi 15, Kalai six, Khetlal four and Akkelpur thana police arrested three persons during the period.

The arrested persons were sent to jail hajat when police produced them different Joypurhat courts, the police said.