The New Nation - Internet Edition

Election campaign reaches peak in Rupganj

Our Correspondent, Rupganj

Election campaign at Rupganj of Narayanganj-1 seat has reached the peak as voting day is only four-day away and the candidates are at their arms to give a finishing touch in the electioneering.

The candidates and the and their supporters are racing from one end to the other to meet the voters and win their hearts. The candidates of the Grand Alliance and the Four-Party are holding meeting, bringing out processions. The supporters and activists are going door to door to meet the voters and woo them.

Local people consider there will be a direct fight between the two candidates of Grand Alliance candidate Gazi Golam Dastagir and Kazi Moniruzzaman, four-party combine candidates.

The festive mood is prevailing in the Upazila as tea shops are crowded with customers till late at night.

Both the candidates are addressing the election meetings almost everyday and making promises of meeting various demand of the people.

City bank branch opens at Kishoreganj

Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

The fourth branch of the service centre of City Bank was opened on Wed-nesday at Bara Bagan on Wednesday.

The opening ceremony began with a miladunnabi seeking blessings of the almighty Allah for its successful operation of the SME service centre .

The service station has been linked with the bank' online banking network to facilitate round the clock banking service to the clients.

Md Badrozza Chowdhury, head of the SME Banking division opened the SME service centre from which the customers of the rural areas will be able to get the services of ATM card.

Speaking on the opening session of the function, all were informed that the city bank has planned more SME service centre to provide modern banking facilities in the rural areas.

Tk 1.12 crore smuggled goods seized in Joypurhat

BSS, Joypurhat

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) jointly, in drives, seized Indian clothes and fertiliser worth Taka 1.12 crore from Bagjana Bazar area under Panchbibi upazila and arrested three persons in this connection on Tuesday.

RAB sources said, on information, a team of RAB and BDR raided the area and recovered 1800 pieces of georgette sari, 300 pieces of three-pieces and 5100 metre long clothes from a truck and arrested them.

The arrested were identified as driver Shehab, 28, helper Zakirul, 23 and Babu Miah, 25.

In another drive, they seized 100 bags of Indian MOP and TSP fertiliser from the same area.

A case was filed and the arrested persons were handed over to Panchbibi police station, the sources added.

Voters ask candidates to solve water logging problems in Satkhira

BSS, Satkhira

Leaders of the "Kendriyo Pani and Bhumi (Central Land and Water) Committee" at a press conference here Tuesday demanded the candidates who are contesting in all the four parliamentary constituencies of the district in the December 29 election to take measures to solve the water logging problems and distribution of khas lands among the landless in the district.

They also demanded commitments for ensuring safe drinking water in the coastal areas if they are elected. The press conference was organised on "Citizens' expectation to the candidates of the Awami League-led Mohajote and BNP-led four-party alliance for distribution of khas lands among the landless, ensuring safe drinking water to the coastal people, solving the water logging problems through re-excavation of silted rivers including the Kabodak".

The press conference was organised by the Central Water and land Committee with the help of NGO Uttaran, to solve the problems, held at Satkhira Press Club auditorium.

The Central Pani Committee leader Sheikh Mahidul Haque read out the written statement at the press conference. He said, due to massive deposition of silt and resultant loss of depths, the rivers Kabodak, Marichchap and Betna lost their capacity to hold water properly in rainy season and also creating water logging in vast areas in Tala, Kalaroa, Assassuni and Sadar Upazilas in the district every year.

There is no other alternative to dredge the rivers to solve the water logging problems facing lakhs of people in the district, he said.

The people in the coastal areas have been facing acute crisis of safe water over the years due to salinity in surface water and high rate of arsenic contamination of ground water. He stated that there are 69,971 acres of khas lands in the district but most of the lands are occupied by influential land grabbers for lack of proper measures.

He said, earlier the Central Pani Committee and Land Committee submitted memorandum to contesting candidates to take measures to solve their 19-point demand. The demand includes solving the acute water crisis ensuring safe drinking water in coastal areas, water logging problem by dredging the rivers, to increase navigability and to dig the dried rivers for flow of water, to recover the khas land and prepare the list of the landless and distribute among them, to resist the expansion of salinity in the region.

Among others Central Pani Committee president Principal Safiqul Islam, Abu Ahmed, Advocate Abul Kalam Azad,and Maniruzzaman Jamaddar were present there.

The Central Pani Committee and the Land Committee were formed by the people in the region.

Workshop on upcoming poll held at Rupganj

Our Correspondent, Rupganj

A three-day workshop on the parliamentary poll was held from December 21 and ended on December 23.

The workshop organised by the Upazila Election Officer was held at Murapara Pilot High School with Nahid Sultana Mollick, Upazila Nirbahi Officer in the chair, in which Additional Deputy Commissioner of Narayanganj was present as the chief guest.

The workshop was inaugurated by the UNO with presence of the presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling officers.

Speakers of the workshop asked the election officers to hold a clean, transparent and credible election.

One killed in Kishoreganj

Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

A transport businessman was killed at Cnadthastata village in Sadar Upazila on Monday night.

The killed was identified as Harun-or Rashid of village Gobindapur village of Hossainpur Upazila, locals and family sources said.

They said Harun went missing since he went out of his father-in-law's house near the railway station of the twon on Sunday evening.

Local people recovered the body of Harun from a paddy field and sent to Kishoreganj Modern Hospital morgue for autopsy.

A case has been filed with Kotwali thana and the police are investigating the case.

Meena Day celebrated in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

Meena Day-2008 was celebrated in the district on Monday with the slogan of 'Nobody will drop out from qualitative education'.

In the celebration of the day district primary education office arranged the different programmes in cooperation with UNICEF and Gana Unnayan Kendra. The programmes included rally, cultural function and prize distribution.

A discussion was also held on the premises of Paschimpara Government Primary School here with District Primary Education Officer M Golam Nabi in the chair.

ADC (general) Abul Bayes Miah addressed it as chief guest. The meeting was also addressed, among others, by Sadar upazila education officer Syed Firoz Iftekhar, assistant upazila education officer Mahmudul Hasan and headmistress of the school Nilupha Akter Khanam.

They said there is no alternative to education for the progress of the nation and stressed the need for bringing up the children to build a happy and prosperous country. A large number of students, teachers, education officials, elite, NGO workers and journalists attended the meeting.

Brilliant primary students accorded reception

Our Correspondent, Baraigram

The result of Prathomic Shikka Samapani Examination '08 of Class Five of Baraigram upazila was declared formally and 13 brilliant students of the examination were accorded a reception under the auspices of Baraigram Upazila Education Department on December 22.

The meeting was presided over by Upazila Education Officer (U.E.O.) Md Abdul Latif Mollah, Upaizla Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Pronob Kumar Roy was present as chief guest. It was also addressed, among others, by Assistant Education Officer (A.U.E.O.) Nimai Chandra Sarker, Mir Mamunur Rashid, Headmaster Md Abul Kasem The function was arranged in presence of students, teachers, guardians, etc. In the meeting the chief guest Pronob Kumar Roy declared the result of Prathomic Shikkha Samapani Examination /08 and handed over prize to the brilliant students who secured first to tenth places. In the examination 3647 students took part among which 3464 students have passed.

Grand alliance, four-party alliance candidates reply to voters’ questions

Our Correspondent, Madaripur

Two candidates of the Grand Alliance and the four-party combine gave replies to questions of voters from a same podium at Shadhinata Angan premises on December 23.

This exceptional occasion was arranged by Transparency International, Bangladesh(TIB).

The Grand Alliance candidate Shahjahan Khan and four-party candidate Helen Jerin Khan made their pledges to the voters. Both the candidates are on the race from Madaripur.

The occasion was presided over by Advocate Khan Mohammad Shahid, convener of the TIB, Madaripur.

Professor Ruhul Amin, president of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Madaripur was present at the function.

Plastic surgery camp concludes in Faridpur

BSS, Faridpur

A four-day-long plastic surgery camp jointly organised by Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), Faridpur branch and Society for Rehabilitation of Burn Victims (SRBV) concluded here on Tuesday at Faridpur General Hospital.

Sixty four patients with congenital cleft lip, cleft palate and post-burn contractures were operated upon by a team of ten doctors led by Doctor Md Shahidul Bari, Associate Professor of Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka and Secretary General of SRBV. The operations also included congenital scar, tumor and facial cancer. 178 patients with various problems were also treated upon as outdoor patients in the camp.

On the concluding day of the camp a scientific seminar on " Plastic surgery and its advancement in Bangladesh" was held last evening at Faridpur BMA bhaban.

The eminent plastic and burn surgeon of the country Dr Shahidul Bari made his video presentation where some critical performed operations were displayed. The scientific seminar session was chaired by Dr Dhirendra Nath Sarder, Super of Faridpur Medical College Hospital.

Among others, BMA Faridpur branch President Dr Mustafizur Rahman Shamim, Deputy Commissioner of Faridpur Akhtaruzzaman Md Mostafa Kamal and Secretary BMA Dr Ali Akbar Hawlader addressed the seminar.

It may be mentioned here that since 2000 so far seven camps were held here where 833 patients were operated upon.

Poll campaign in south Ctg gains momentum

BSS, Chittagong

The hustings for next week's parliamentary polls has gained momentum in the five constituencies of south Chittagong.

The candidates, their active supporters and even relatives have virtually no time for rest and sleep as they have been putting in maximum efforts by utilising properly the time left for campaigning.

Nominees of major parties seem on a nerve-breaking polls race by engaging all legal modes of campaign, sometimes even promising lofty hopes if they win, to mobilise support of general voters in their favour.

Candidates and apparently neutral people said peaceful atmosphere and cordial relations between candidates of rival parties have encouraged a large number of people in being involved with election activities. The five parliamentary constituencies under south Chittagong are Chittagong-11 (Patiya), Chittagong-12 (Anowara and Karnaphuli), Chittagong-13 (Chandanaish and part of Satkania), Chittagong-14 (Satkania and Lohagara) and Chittagong-15 (Banshkhali).

The number of total of voters is 11,55,305 including 6,88,621 females in the five constituencies where 29 candidates are competing. South Chittagong area has been considered as a stronghold of the four-party alliance as its nominees won all the five seats in 2001 and most seats in 1996 and 1991.

Political observers have said that quitting of once influential BNP stalwart Col (retd) Dr Oli Ahmed from the party has brought a significant change in the political demography of the region, which already poses a big threat to the BNP monopoly over the area.

On the other hand, they said, Oli Ahmed, who never suffered defeat in parliamentary elections from Chittagong-13 as a BNP candidate since 1979, is heading for a tough battle this time. Many believe that his chance of winning from both Chittagong- 13 and Chittagong-14 constituencies is hanging in the balance as his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has not been included in the Mohajote and he may not get the votes of a large number of BNP supporters this year.

Industrialist Eng. Afsaruddin Ahmed who is contesting from Chittagong-13 as a Mohajote candidate with the symbol "boat" who lost to Oli with a narrow margin of votes in 2001 election has already brightened his chance of winning this time following a changed political equation. Advocate Mizanul Haq Chowdhury who is vying from the area as the 4-party nominee has been considered a major obstacle to Oli's success.

On the other hand, Oil Ahmed is also facing a tough resistance from Jamaat leader Moulana Shamsul Islam who is competing from Chittagong-14 constituency (Satkania-Lohagara) with the symbol "scale" as the area is known as a stronghold of Jamaat-Shibir. Col. (retd) Oli Ahmed won the election from the constituency in 1996 while recently convicted Jamaat leader won the JS seat in 1991 and 2001 polls.

Advocate AKM Serajul Islam is running from the area as Mohajote candidate while dissident AL leader and industrialist Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury joined the poll race as an independent candidate following a High Court order.

Election preparations complete in Mymensingh

BSS, Mymensingh

Preparations for holding the 9th Jatiya Sangsad elections in a peaceful atmosphere in the district have been completed.

District election office sources said training programmes for 1,378 presiding officers, 6,891 assistant presiding officers and 13,594 polling officers is going on.

The training program-mes in nine upazilas out of 12 upazilas have already been completed and training of polling officials of rest three upazilas will be completed by December 27.

Election office has already finalished to set up 6,016 polling centers in 1,133 polling centres in all 11 constituencies in the district.

According to district election office, transparent ballot boxes and other election materials have been sent to upazila election offices.

The number of voters in the district is 29,16,763 of which 14,42,718 are male and 14,74,045 are female.

News briefs

Water treatment plant in Chandpur

CHANDPUR, Dec 25: The government has undertaken a scheme to supply arsenic-free pure drinking water at Chandpur Municipal area at a cost of Taka 2.8 crore. Public Health and Engineering Department Chandpur office sources said a surface water treatment plant to supply drinking water here will be constructed at Natunbazar under Chandpur Municipality. The construction work of the water treatment plant has already been started. Water from the river Dakatia will be purified in the plant. After the completion of the scheme, 90,000 gallons of drinking water could be supplied per hour, the sources added, reports BSS.

Fertiliser seized

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Dec 25: Members of Bangladesh Rifles seized 1772 kg of Indian fertiliser from Hakimpur and Bakchar areas under Sadar upazila on Monday. BDR sources said, acting on secret information, BDR Jawans of Hakimpur Border Out Post (BOP) raided the aforesaid areas and recovered 1154 kg of potash and 618 kg of DAP fertiliser, reports BSS

FF dead

BARGUNA, Dec 25: Gias Uddin Piada, a valiant freedom fighter of Antharogasia village under Amtali upazila of the district, died of a heart attack at his residence Tuesday night at the age of 75. He left behind his wife, relatives and a host of friends and admirers to mourn his death. Gias Uddin was buried with state honour at his family graveyard this morning, reports BSS

Potato cultivation

CHANDPUR, Dec 25: Bumper potato is expected to be produced this year in Chandpur district, one of the largest potato growing areas of the country. Agriculture Extension Department office sources said 20,500 hectares of land have been brought under potato cultivation during the current season in co-operation with Agricultural Development Corporation. Agriculture Extension Department supplied necessary seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs in time to the farmers, the sources added, reports BSS.

20 held in Joypurhat

JOYPURHAT, Dec 25: Police in different drives arrested 20 persons including a drug peddler from different places in five upazilas of the district in the last 48 hours till Tuesday afternoon. Police said the arrested persons include absconding warrantees, cheats, thieves and other anti-social elements. Police also recovered narcotic substances and other illegal things during the drives. Apart from this, traffic police lodged 11 cases under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance and seized two motorcycles without registration during dives against the non-registered motor vehicles and other document-related malpractice in different parts of the district, reports BSS.

Phensidyl, fertiliser seized 3 held in Bogra

SANTAHAR, Bogra, Dec 25: Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) seized huge quantities of smuggled Phensidyl, fertilisers and arrested three smugglers from a train at Santahar railway junction under Adamdighee Upazila in Bogra on Monday, police said. A special patrol team of BDR from Naogaon conducted a drive in Dhaka-bound inter-city train 'Drutojan' from Dinajpur there and seized 69 bottles smuggled Phensidyl and 200 kg TSP fertilisers from the train, reports BSS.