The New Nation - Internet Edition

JS electioneering gaining momentum in Narail

BSS, Narail

The Jatiya Sangsad electioneering is gaining momentum in the district as the MP candidates and their workers are now visiting door-to-door and talking to the common voters from morning to till late night

The candidates are also addressing election rallies in a quick succession everyday and making fresh commitments to develop their own constituencies.

Use of loud speakers, pasting posters, holding meetings and bringing out processions in favor of different candidates have created a festive atmosphere in the district comprising two parliamentary constituencies.

Leaders, workers and supporters of the candidates are seen discussing voting issues at hotel, restaurants and other public places.

District Election Office sources told BSS that 11 candidates are now in the fray for two JS seats after scrutiny and withdrawal of nomination papers.

Of them, five candidates are vying in Narail-1 constituency and six in Narail-2. Narail-1 consists of 18 unions of Narail Sadar and Kalia upazila where the number of voters is 1,82,972. Of the voters, 88,731 are males and 94,241 females.

In the 2001 elections, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina won the seat by bagging 78,216 votes. Her nearest rival BNP candidate Dhirendranath Saha secured 61,410 votes. Later, Dhirendranath Saha won the by-polls as Sheikh Hasina surrendered the seat.

Those contesting from Narail-1 constituency this year are Bimal Biswas (boat) of Mohajote, Biswas Jahangir Alam (sheaf of paddy) of four-party alliance, Ayub Hossain Mina(hatpakha) of Islami Shasantantra Andolan and independent candidates Dhirendranath Saha (television) and Kabirul Haque Mukti(kalas).

Narail-2 comprises 20 unions and two pourasabhas of Narail Sadar and Lohagara upazilas where the number of voters is 2,39,804. Of them, 1,14,669 are males and 1,25,135 females.

In the 2001 polls, AL Chief Sheikh Hasina won from the seat by bagging 97,195 votes. Her nearest rival four-party alliance candidate Mufti Shahidul Islam got 93,081 votes. Later, Shahidul Islam won the by-elections as Sheikh Hasina gave up the seat.

The candidates in Narail-2 constituency this year are Sharif Khasruzzaman (sheaf of paddy) of four-party alliance, Brig Gen (retd) SK Abu Baker (boat) of Mohajote, AZM Fariduzzaman Farhad(mango) of NPP, Maulana M. Emranuzzaman(rickshaw) of Khelafat Majlish, Dilip Kumar Adhikari(umbrella) of LDP and SM Nasiruddin (hatpakha) of Islami Shashantantra Andolan.

Though 11 candidates are contesting for two JS seats in the district in the December 29 balloting, the fight will be exclusively limited to Mohajote and the Four-Party alliance, local election analysts think.

Victory Day observed with much enthusiasm in Gouripur

Our Correspondent, Gouripur

The Victory Day was observed in Gouripur Upazila of Mymenisngh district in a befitting manner on December 16.

The beginning of the Victory Day started at zero hours of midnight with 21- gun salute.

Habibur Nahar, UNO of Gouripur Upazila, placed floral wreaths on the Shaheed Minar at Harun Park of the upazila town.

Different organisations, clubs, samities, political parties, Jatio Sangbadik Sangsta and Gouripur Press Club also placed floral wreaths.

In the morning, colourful rallies were brought out by different organisations which passed through the main roads of the town ad joined the Gouripur Stadium.

The National Flag was hoisted by the UNO of Gouripur Upazila. In the afternoon, Press Club 'A' Group and Press Club 'B' Group organised a Volleyball match to mark the Victory Day. Besides, different kinds of sports and games were held and also in the evening many cultural functions were held on the Victory Day.

Massive maize farming scheme taken in Khulna division

UNB, Jhenidah

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has taken a massive program to bring some 69,050 hectares of land under maize cultivation in 10 districts of Khulna division this season.

According to DAE sources, of the total land, 14000 hectares will be cultivated in Jhenidah, 400 hectares in Jessore, 200 hectares in Magura, 100 hectares in Narail, 16,000 hectares in Kushtia, 5000 hectares in Meherpur, 33,200 hectares in Chuadanga and 50 hectares each in Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat districts.

DAE has set a target to produce 3,79,775 metric tons of maize in these 10 districts of Khulna division.

The agriculture officials said they have ensured the supply of quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other necessary inputs at fair prices among the farmers to make the scheme a success.

6 killed in N’ganj road mishap

BSS, Narayanganj

Six people, including a couple, were killed in a fatal road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet highway at Purinda under Araihazar thana on Tuesday night.

Local sources said a Dhaka-bound private car from Sylhet turned turtle on the highway as its driver lost his control over the steering at about 11 am, killing all the six passengers on the spot.

The deceased were identified as Motaleb, his wife Hiru Begum, Abul Kashem, M Hossain, Nasiruddin Nasu and driver Kamal.

The accident took place due to poor visibility caused by dense fog, the sources said.

Opinion sharing meet held in Gazipur

UNB, Gazipur

A view-exchange meeting between candidates contesting in five constituencies and their polling agents and the district administration was held here Monday for holding the upcoming national election peacefully.

Deputy Commissioner Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan chaired the meeting held at the auditorium of the DC office.

Police and RAB officials also attended the meeting arranged by local election office.

The meeting held elaborate discussion about maintaining law and order and requested all to abide by the election code of conduct.

Bijoy Mela begins in Chandpur

BSS, Chandpur

To mark the celebration of great Victory Day, the month-long Bijoy Mela, has been inaugurated here on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner of the district Shahidur Rahman inaugurated the event on the premises of Hasan Ali High School.

With president of the organizing committee of the Bijoy Mela Advocate Jahirul Islam in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, Police Super Krishna Pal Roy, Sahadat Hossian, Advocate Abul Latif, Advocate Fazlul Haque, Advocate Binoy Bhusan Majumdeer, freedom fighters Ajit Roy, Rozzakul Haider, Harun Chowdhury and Majibur Rahman.

The Bijoy Mela is being observed here for last eighteen years.

10 hurt in Satkhira clash

UNB, Satkhira

At least 10 people were injured as supporters of four-party alliance and grand alliance candidates in parliamentary election clashed in Shyamnagar upazila Tuesday.

Police said both the groups brought out processions at about 7pm chanting various slogans and the clash ensued when they came face to face at the upazila headquarter premises. The injured were admitted to local hospital.

Gazi Nazrul Islam, a Jamaat leader, is contesting from Satkhira-4 constituency as four-party alliance candidate while HM Golam Reza, a Jatiya Party leader, as AL-led grand alliance candidate.

Hand bomb recovered from madrasa in Dinajpur

BSS, Dinajpur

Police recovered a hand bomb and bomb-making materials from a madrasa at Askarpur union under Sadar upazila of the district on Wednesday.

After defusing, police found grease and metals in the bomb, which was recovered from a room of Mansur Chowdhury Dakhil Madrasa.

On suspicion, police arrested Makhrumin Ahmed, 28, son of Abdul Zabbar of Natunpara village of Askarpur union, for interrogation.

News briefs

Robbers injure 3 in Jhalakathi

JHALAKATI, Dec 19: Three people were injured by robbers while committing robbery at the house of a newsman at Balighona village in Sadar upazila early Tuesday. Witnesses said, a gang of robbers stormed into the house of Abdur Razzak, staff reporter of Daily Naya Diganta at about 1:30 am and looted cash and valuables. The bandits also mercilessly beat his uncle Nur Muhammad, 50, and cousins Mizanur Rahman, 16, and Masudul Alam, 14 when they tried to resist them. The injured were rushed to Sadar hospital in critical condition. The muggers fled the scene leaving behind a mobile phone set, reports UNB.

Expatriate killed in Sylhet

SYLHET, Dec 19: An expatriate was allegedly killed by his cousin on the Victory Day on Tuesday at Kalkona village in Golapganj upazila here. The deceased was identified as Muhammad Zuber Ahmed, 22, son of Pakhan Ali. Police said victim's cousin Jasim Uddin, son of Achha Mia, hit Zuber on his head at about 11:00 am with bamboo stick over a trifling matter, leaving him critically injured. Later, he died on way to the Osmani Medical College Hospital, reports UNB.

Pregnant housewife killed in Jhalakati

JHALAKATI, Dec 19: A pregnant house wife was killed by unknown assailants at Putiakhali village in Rajapur upazila here on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Sadia Begum, 20, wife of Amir Khan of the village. Local people said seven-month pregnant Sadia was missing since Monday evening. Later, her dead body with several injury marks was found at a garden about 100 yards off her house at midnight. The reason behind the killing could not be known immediately. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Sadar hospital for autopsy. A case was filed in this connection, reports UNB.

FFs accorded reception in Barguna

BARGUNA, Dec 19: District administration accorded a reception to the valiant freedom fighters and their family members on the occasion of the Victory Day at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium in the town on Tuesday. Chaired by additional district magistrate Mohammad Alim, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafayet Hossain was present on the occasion as chief guest. Police super Siddiqui Tanzilur, poura mayor Mohammad Shahjahan and Muktijoddha Sangsad convenor Shamsuddin, among others, were present on the occasion, reports UNB

Woman killed by brother-in-law in Kishoreganj

KISHOREGANJ, Dec 19: A woman was killed allegedly by her brother-in-law at Koriyail village in Sadar upazilla on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Hasina Akhter, 50, wife of late Aftab Uddin of the village. Police quoting local people said her brother-in-law Afis Uddin hit her with a stick while she was dressing fish in the courtyard. On information, police rushed to the spot and arrested Afis Uddin. The reason behind the killing could not be known immediately. A case was filed. In another incident, police recovered the body of Manasi cinema hall guard Majnu, 50, from a pond in Munshibari area of the district town on Tuesday morning, reports UNB.