The New Nation - Internet Edition

Govt takes proxy means testing programme for students in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

The government has taken up proxy means testing programme for the students of high schools of Shaghata and Sundargonj Upazilas in the district recently.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) will jointly implement the programme in the upazila under Secondary Education Quality and Acess Enhancement Project, sources said.

Under the programme, stipends and tuition fees would be distributed to the selected students form classes six to nine so that they could run their studies smoothly and without any economic trouble. Primarily, the students of the schools will fill up the distributed forms with particular information and data and then the forms will be sent to LGED Bhaban to classify those into three categories A, B and C as per particulars given by the students.

Later both stipend and tuition fees will be allowed for A category students only, tuition fees for B category students and no financial facilities for C category students.

The money would be distributed among the finally selected students from the nexy year, sources said.

In order to introduce the programme with the students, teachers, public representatives, guardians, local elite and others, briefing sessions are being held in upazila towns and unions, under the initiative of LGED and DSHE.

Very recently, a day-long workshop on the programme was held at the hall room of Bonarpara Quazi Azhar Ali High School under Shaghata Upazila in the district on November 17, UNO Gullal Singh addressed it as chief guest upazila Engineer of LGED M Sabiul Islam and upazila Secondary Education Officer M Shah Alam Parvez were the discussants in the function.

JS Polls- ’08: Rajshahi: 4 nomination papers submitted for three constituencies

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

Four nomination papers for three constituencies of Rajshahi were submitted for the Parliamentary election with the concerned returning officers of the district on Thursday.

Awami League nominated candidate Maraj Uddin Molla submitted nomination paper as Awami League candidate to returning officer of Paba, Humayun Kabir for Rajshahi-3 (Mohanpur-Paba) constituency on Thursday morning. He was accompanied by two of his party followers.

Engineer Enamul Haque, Managing Director of ENA group submitted his nomination paper as AL candidate for Rajshahi-4( Bagmara) constituency to the assistant returning officer, UNO Habibur Rahman on Thursday noon. He was accompanied by two of his party followers.

In the afternoon, AL nominated candidate Shahriar Alam submitted his nomination paper for Rajshahi-6 (Charghat-Bagha) constituency to the UNO and assistant returning officer Mainul Hasan. Earlier, Shahriar Alam also submitted his nomination paper to the UNO of Bagha upazila.

Nurul Islam Master, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) nominated candidate submitted his nomination paper for Rajshahi-6 constituency to Deputy Commissioner and Rajshahi district returning officer Shefaul Karim. Sources said, so far 55 candidates have drawn nomination papers for the national elections for six constituencies in Rajshahi.

STT officer held for receiving kickback

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

The detective branch of police Thursday arrested Administrative Officer of Speedy Trial Tribunal(STT) ,Rajshahi, Abu Zafar during a transaction of kickback of Tk 200,000 in the sensational Monsur Mridha murder case.

Acting on a tip off, a team of plain clothed policemen took position around the house at Chalk Enayetpur in Naogaon at about 4pm. After a while, administrative officer of STT, Rajshahi, Abu Zafar came out from the house when the police challenged him and recovered four bundles of Tk 500 denomination notes worth Tk 200,000 from his possession. Zafar failed to give satisfactory answer to the police about the source of the money.

However, Zafar told the local journalists that he went to Naogaon to appear as a witness of a case.

Mofazzal Hossain, Superintendent of Police, Naogaon , said they had information that a group was trying to make the verdict of murder case of former BNP Vice-President of Manda upazila of Naogaon district Monsur Rahman Mrida in favour of the accused in exchange for hefty kickback. The DB police conducted the operation and arrested Abu Zafar, Administrative Officer of STT, Rajshahi red handed during the transaction of the kickback.

He further said that Abu Zafar has revealed sensational information to the police, but he did not disclose it for the sake of further enquiry.

Earlier on March-10, 2004, BNP Vice-President Monsur Mridha was shot and slaughtered by the extremists. After the incident, a case was filed accusing several upazila level BNP leaders including Manda thana BNP secretary Dr. Ikramul bari Tipu and former MP Advocate Shaokat Elias Kabir.

The STT in Rajshahi took up the case. Abu Zafar was alleged to have assured the accused to save them in exchange for kickback. So far Tk 12 lakh has been paid in kickback to various persons by the accused, it was learnt.

Need for imparting technical training for unemployed youth stressed

BSS, Gaibandha

The speakers in a function on Wednesday stressed the need for imparting technical training's on different trades for the unemployed youths to solve their unemployment problem permanently.

"The educated and half-educated youths will have to come forward towards receiving training on different technical educations willingly aimed at being self- dependent through engaging themselves in various income generating activities of the country."

They said this in a concluding ceremony of a month-long training course on sweater knitting and linking machine operating (SKLMO) for the trainees of the 13th batch at the youth training centre (YTC) at Tulshighat under sadar upazila of the district on November 19.

The aim of the training course was to create skilled and trained manpower to provide them with jobs in garments industries so that they could be self-reliant and eradicate monga gradually from this region.

Bangladesh Army, directorate of youth development (DYD) and district administration jointly organized the training with the financial assistance of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BGMEA) and BGMEA institute of Fashion and Technology (BIFT).

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) M. Abul Bayes Miah addressed the function as the chief guest and external liaision officer of BIFT M. Mujibur Rahman was present as special guest. Presided over by Abdur Razzak, deputy director of DYD, the function was also addressed among others, by assistant director of DYD Abdur Razzak and trainee Abdur Rouf.

The speakers urged the trainees to work in different garments in Dhaka with utmost sincerity and dedication to earn money from there to change their lots economically as well as the play roles in eradicating monga from this region.

They also thanked Nazmul Hasan Bhuiyan chairman of standing committee, sweater cell-BGMEA, for keeping great contributions to conducting this courses at Gaibandha, Kurigram and Nilphamari districts and providing the trainees with jobs in different garments industries in Dhaka with attractive salaries.

Later, the guests distributed the certificates among the trainees in the function. As many as 74 young boys and 12 young girls from Rangpur and Gaibandha districts took part in the training.

Earlier, a total of 1028 unemployed youths including women from monga affected five northern districts viz Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha were imparted training on SKLMO in 12 batches.

The training course for the trainees of 14th batch was also inaugurated in the function.

Effective social participation for preventing HIV/AIDS emphasised

BSS, Rangpur

Speakers at an advocacy meeting here have said that the threat of spreading HIV/AIDS could be prevented through effective participations and concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the society including police.

For this, it is essential to disseminating proper knowledge to the people, especially the vulnerable and backward people, about the dreadful diseases to check its further spreading, they said.

Light House, an NGO, organised the meeting under its ongoing HIV and Aids Targeted Intervention (HATI) project with the assistances of the government and UNICEF for the police officials on Kotwali Thana premises on Tuesday.

Chaired by Manager (DIC) of Rangpur Rakibul Haque Khan, the meeting was attended by Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali police station Abdur Rashid as the chief guest.

HIV/AIDS experts of the NGO Jalal Uddin and MR Khan narrated the goals and achievements of the ongoing project so far and the overall present situation of the deadly diseases in the country and the globe as a whole.

A total of 26 police personnel including Sub- Inspectors, Assistant Sub-Inspectors and constables of the police force took part in the advocacy meeting.

Three commit suicide in Habiganj

UNB, Habiganj

Three people, including an adolescent girl, allegedly committed suicide on Thursday in separate incidents in the district.

Police said, Billal Mia, 22, hailing from Ghilatali village of Madhabpur upazila committed suicide by taking poison following a family feud.

In another incident, Abbas Ali, 19, of Bhularjum village in Chunarughat upazila killed himself by taking poison as his mother refused to give him Tk 500.

In yet another incident, Niyati Saotal, 14, daughter of Fagu Saotal of Rashidpur Tea Garden in Bahubal upazila committed suicide by taking pesticides. But the reason behind the suicide could not be known immediately. Separate UD cases were filed with the police.

Eviction of VCD shops near educational instts in Rupganj demanded

Our Correspondent, Rupganj

A human chain was formed by the members of Human Resource Development Organisation on the 19th November at 10 PM at Rupganj Thana premises demanding eviction of VCD shops from the place where a primary school and a high school are situated. Even Rupganj Sub-Registration Office and Rupganj Thana Complex are not very far. Later a meeting was held in front of the Sub-Registration office chaired by Shamsunnahar Begum, Chairman of the said organisation.

The meeting was attended by hundreds of students, guardians and teachers of these institutions. Among others, Zohra Begum, Abdus Salam, Ruma Akter, members of this organisation, Ishak, deed writer, Al-Amin, Masud teachers, Farid Ahmed Khan, Prodiv Chandra Das, Renuka Rani Sarker, members of the "KARITAS" and MA Momen Ittefaq Correspondent addressed the meeting. The speakers demanded to the concerned authority to evict the VCD shops, which disrupt teaching and learning activities of the institutions.

A memo randum was submitted to Rupganj UNO.

Olympic Day Run observed in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

The Olympic Day Run 08 was observed in Gopalganj in a festive mood recently.

A colourful procession was brought out from Gopalganj Collectorate buildings premises and paraded main roads of Gopalganj town and terminated at Gopalganj Stadium premises. A discussion meeting on the occasion was held at Gopalganj Stadium, auditorium. SM Ashfaque Hussain, Deputy Commissioner, Gopalganj and President DSA presided over the discussion meeting.

Advocacy meet on health education held in Mymensingh

Staff Reporter, Mymensingh

An Advocacy meeting on health education and development of model village Akhrail, Trishal was held at Akhrail village under Shakua Union of Trishal Upazila on 10th November.

It was presided over by UHFPO Dr Sayed Md Habibullah. Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Md Atiqur Rahman was present as chief guest. Health and Education Officer Md Bazlur Rahman was present as special guest.

The advocacy meeting took a resolution for searching out Leprosy and Tuberculosis patients and bring them under treatment. The Chief guest said we shall have to build awareness among people for health education, such as washing hands before taking food, testing blood sugar level, maintain blood pressure control and avoid smoking and rich food.

JP leader Tito’s followers clash with police in Jessore

BSS, Jessore

The activists of Jatiya Party leader Khaledur Rahman Tito engaged in a clash with the police as the law enforcers intercepted a procession at Bhola Tank toad on Thursday evening.

The police used baton charge to disperse the activists. The activists also burned effigies of Jessore district unit of AL President Ali Reza Raju as he was nominated for Jessore-3 for the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad poll.

The activists of Khaledur Rahman Tito gathered in front of his residence and brought out a procession towards the AL office. As the police barricaded them, at one stage the activists engaged in clash with police. The police used baton charge, leaving seven activists wounded.

A tense situation has been prevailing in the town.

Siblings chopped to deathover land dispute in Barguna

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Two brothers were chopped to death by close relatives in dispute over harvesting paddy in Chila village under Haldia union of Barguna district on Thursday morning.

Faruk Hossain, sub inspector of Amtali police station and Dr. Asit Barun Biswas, Amtali upazila health officer, confirming the report said that Shohel, 20, and Rubel, 22, sons of Mustafa Sardar went to a disputed land for harvesting paddy at about 10:00 am Thursday morning.

Anwar Sadar and his 4 sons, uncle and cousins of the siblings with lethal and sharp weapons attacked and chopped Sohel and Rubel mercilessly and left the spot leaving them in critical condition.

The victims died on the way to hospital. Police sent the dead bodies to Barguna Sadar hospital morgue for post mortem.

News briefs

Girls rescued from human traffickers in Habiganj

HABIGANJ, Nov 21: Four adolescent girls were rescued by police on Thursday when they were brought by a human trafficker at Nayapara bus stoppage in Madhabpur upazila. They are Shefali, 12, daughter of Rustam Ali, Manjila Begum, 12, daughter of Jaru Mia, Suma Akhter, 12, daughter of Majid Mia and Alesa Begum, 12, daughter of Wahid Mia of Kulikunda village in Brahmanbaria district. Police and locals said Jhumu, daughter of Abu Mollah of the same village, brought these four girls by a three-wheeler tempo to Nayapara bus stoppage on Dhaka-Sylhet highway in the name of giving them good job. Observing their suspicious movement, local people interrogated them. At that time sensing danger trafficker Jhumu managed to flee the scene, reports UNB.

Fishing nets looted in Laxmipur

LAXMIPUR, Nov 21: Pirates looted fishing nets worth Tk 8 lakh from two fishing boats, injuring six fishermen and boatmen in the river Meghna adjacent to Char Meghna in Raipur upazila on Thursday evening. Witnesses said, a gang of pirates armed with locally made weapons attacked the boats and looted the fishing nets. The pirates beat up the boatmen and fishermen, leaving six of them injured. They were admitted to a local hospital, reports UNB.

Youth hacked to death in Jhalakati

JHALAKATI, Nov 21: A youth was hacked to death by terrorists at Kanunia village in Rajapur upazila on Wednesday night. The deceased was identified as Ajit Bepari alias Arup, 20, son of Bimol Bepary of the village. Police said, the terrorists attacked Arup and chopped him to death when he was returning home. Local people said Arup had enmity with a local terrorist gang. Police recovered the body and sent it to hospital morgue for autopsy. A case was filed, reports UNB.

Fire burns 18 shops in Laxmipur

LAXMIPUR, Nov 21: A devastating fire gutted 18 shops at Hajiganj Bazaar in Ramgati upazila early Wednesday. Witnesses said, the fire originated at about 1 am from an electric short circuit in a jewelry shop and soon engulfed the adjoining shops. On information, fire fighters rushed in and doused the flame after one hour of their frantic efforts with the help of local people. Shop owners claimed that cash and valuables worth Tk 50 lakh were gutted in the blaze. Local administration officials visited the spot, reports UNB.

Woman killed in Benapole road mishap

BENAPOLE (JESSORE), Nov 21: A woman was killed and another injured when they jumped from a bus facing an accident at Shyamlagachhi village in Sharsha upazila on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Momtaj Begum, 43, of the village. Police said Momtaz and her co-villager Anwara Begum, 53, while returning home with VGF rice jumped from the bus as its driver lost control over the steering in front of a local madrasah on Benapole-Jessore road at noon. Momtaz died on the spot and Anwara who sustained serious injuries was admitted to a local hospital. Police seized the bus, but its driver managed to flee the scene, reports UNB.