The New Nation - Internet Edition

JS poll: Narsingdi: AL candidates hopeful of bagging all seats

Our Corresponent, Narsingdi

The candidates of Awami League (AL) are hopeful to secure all the constituencies of Narshingdi in the upcoming parliamentary elections, although in the 2001 elections the party managed to achieve one seat among five. On the other hand, the candidates of the four party-alliance are trying hard to beat the grand alliance.

AL led grand alliance has nominated new faces in four constituencies and reinstated previous candidate in one seat. BNP-led four party alliance has nominated three new faces and reinstated two previous candidates.

Talking to the AL local leaders and activists of both the two major, they expressed their confidence to bag vote in favour of their respective party. But the general voters cannot give any confirmation.

There are 2,69,221 voters in Narshingdi-1 (Sadar Upazila). Here the candidates are Mohammad Nazrul Islam of AL, Khairul Kabir Khokan of BNP, Mohammad Zakir Hossain of Gonofront and Shahiduzzaman Chowdhury of Gonoforum.

In Narshingdi-2 (Palash Upazila), the numbers of voters are 2,06,703. Five candidates are competing in the polls race in the constituency. They are: Dr Anwrul Ashraf Khan of AL, Dr Abdul Moin Khan of BNP, and Eng. Muhsin Ahmed of Islami Sashantontra Andolon, SM Altaf Hossain of Gonoforum, Jahedul Karim of Jatiya Samajtrantik Dal.

In Narshingdi-3 (Shibpur Upazila), the numbers of voters are 2,00,492. Eight candidates are competing in the polls race in this constituency. The candidates are Jahirul Haque Bhuiyan Mohan of AL, former BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan (Independent), Tofazzal Hossain of BNP, AKM Jaglul Hayder Afrik of Gonoforum, Dr Altaf Hossain of National Peoples' Party, Mowlana Mohammad Harisul Haque of Islamic Andolon, Abdul Baten Sarkar of Progressive Democratic Party and Hossain Mollah of National Awami Party.

In this constituency, the local leaders and activists of BNP have been divided after the suspension of Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan form BNP. As a result the AL candidate will took the chance to achieve victory easily.

In Nashingdi-4 (Monohardi and Belab upazila), the numbers of voters are 2,65,792. eight candidates are competing in the poll race. The candidates are Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayan of AL, Mohammad Jainal Abedin of BNP, Sanaual Haque Niru of Bikalpodhara, Kazi Sazzad Zahir Chanddan of Communist Party, Kazi Ashraf Ali of Islami Andolon, Md Ashraf Ali of Gonoforum, Md Waizuddin Akadda of Jaker Party and Mohammad Samsuzzaman of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon.

In Narshingdi-5 (Raipura Upazila), the numbers of voters are 250355 in this constituency. Four candidates are competing in the poll race in this constituency. the candidates are Rajuddin Ahmed Raju of AL, Jamal Ahmed Chowdhury of BNP, Farida Yasmin of Gonoforum and Omar Faruk of National Awami Party.

According to the general voters, AL nominee Rajuddin Ahmed Raju will earn the victory keeping his major contender Jamal Chowdhury in long behind.

Beside, the central command of BNP has suspended the post of Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal central president Abdul Ali Mridha, also former MP of this constituency for the allegation of violating of party's rules and regulations.

Eid re-union of hearing impaired held in Naogaon

Our Correspondent, Naogaon

Deaf and Dumb Welfare Association of Rajshahi Division held an Eid reunion, at its office recently.

Presided over by its president deaf dumb Dewan Anisur Rahman, it was attended by the central executive member of the Bangladesh Deaf Dumb Welfare Association AKM Mustafizur Rahman as chief guest.

National Bangladesh Deaf Dumb Cricket Association General Secretary, Md. Alauddin, executive member Shamol Kumar, adviser of the said division association Advocate and journalist MNd. Anwarul Quadir and others spoke on he occasion.

The speakers urged strongly to the government to fulfil their legitimate demands in all ways for the welfare of the deaf and dumb persons like other foreign countries. Md. Ruhul Momeen Nippon conducted it.

Ridoy yet not recovered

Our Correspondent, Rupganj

Ridoy, a disabled boy 10 years old, son of Moniruzzaman Bhuiyan, veteran journalist and nephew of Late Kamrul Islam, Vice Chairman of Rupganj Press Club has yet not been found. He was missing from Bhulta area at Rupganj in Narayanganj on the 1st November last. All the kind-hearted persons are being requested to contact with mobile phone number-01911700875 after being confirmed of his whereabouts.

Obituary

Our Correspondent, Naogaon

Prominent lawyer Advocate Anisur Rahman (66) died of heart attack at his residence Talpukur (Shahapur) under Naogaon district Sadar recently.

He served as a lawyer for more than twenty-five years. His first Namaz-e- Janaja was held on Naogaon District Bar Advocates Association presimes and later at his village home. He was buried at his family graveyard.

He left behind his widow, only engineer son and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Election campaign in Naogaon reaches peak

Our correspondent, Naogaon

The election campaign in Naogaon district has reached the peak as the candidates of the district have geared up their electioneering to give a finishing touch.

A total of twenty one candidates of different parties are on the race in six seats of the district.

The activists and supporters of the candidates are holding public meetings, bringing out processions and making publicity using loud speakers in favour of their candidates starting from morning and continuing till late at night.

The candidates are now going house to house to seek votes making promises of meeting their demands if elected. Local political analysts said there will be direct fight between AL and BNP candidates in all the six seats of the district. All the six seats went to BNP in the poll in 2001.

The candidates starting from early in the morning are working till late at night to win the hearts of the candidates.

Khaleda Zia seeks vote for her alliance candidate at Rupganj

Our correspondent, Rupganj

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia addressed an election meeting at Rupganj of Narayanganj district on December 24 midnight while she urged the people to vote for the four-party candidate.

Addressing a number of wayside meetings on her way to Rupganj, Begum Zia introduced Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir of BNP-led four-party alliance candidates to the people.

She expressed the hope that voters of his constituency would elect him for doing development work. Khaleda Zia said if the BNP-led alliance is again voted to power, Murapara College and the school would be made government.

She also promised that a bridge would be constructed on the Sitolakha River so that people would be able to go to Dhaka quickly.

Mass awareness to fight HIV/AIDS stressed

Our Correspondent, Khulna

Mass awareness for preventing HIV/AIDS was emphasised by the speakers in a workshop held here on Thursday.

Organised by Sidab & Padakhep Consortium the workshop was attended by ADC (Ed) M Jafarullah as chief guest while Civil Surgeon Khulna Dr. M. Lutfar Rahma, Executive Director Sidap M lauddin, Dy. Civil Surgeon Dr. Maksuda Begum, Dist. Education Officer M Mizanur Rahma, DD Information Zinat Ara Ahmed, DD Islamic Foundation M Raifqul Islam and Dist. Women Affairs Nargis Fatema Zamin attended the workshop as special guests. A discussion on "HIV/AIDS advocacy and policy" was held by the attendants on the occasion.

Drive against miscreants launched in Bagerhat

UNB, Bagerhat

Local police Tuesday launched a two-day special drive against criminals in the district for maintaining law and order in national election scheduled to be held on December 29.

Over 800 policemen took part in the drive, which was launched simultaneously in the morning at different areas in nine upazilas for arresting outlaws, other criminals and recovering narcotics.

District Police Super Awlad Ali Fakir said the drive was launched ahead of the election so that the voting is held peacefully.

None was arrested and no arms recovered till Tuesday, on first day of the operation.

News briefs

Bomb exploded in sweater factory in Dinajpur

DINAJPUR, Dec 26: bomb exploded in the sweater factory of Hafizur Rahman Sarkar, a candidate for the upcoming general election from Dinajpur-4 (Chirirbandar-Khansama), early Wednesday. Police said the bomb blew up in 'CK Sweater' of Chirirbandar upazila with a big bang about 1 am but none was hurt. Hearing explosion, workers of the factory went out from their quarters and informed police. Hafizur Rahman Sarkar is going to contest the polls, slated for December 29, as an independent candidate for Dinajpur-4, reports UNB.

13 outlaws arrested in Sirajganj

SIRAJGANJ, Dec 26: Police arrested 13 members of outlawed Sarbahara Party, including a regional commander, at Paril Barachara and Deora villages in Tarash upazila of the district on Tuesday morning. Acting on a tip-off, police conducted raid in the two villages and arrested the outlaws at about 3:00 am Tuesday. All of them are enlisted as members of outlawed party. The arrested were identified as Hujur Ali, 45, a regional commander of Sarbahara Party, Rezaul Karim, 35, Hossain Ali, 32, Hasan Ali, 30, Istab Ali, 34, Jamaluddin,38, Sobhan, 35, Zahurul, 40, Hakim, 42, Zahurul Haq, 39, Anil Chandra, 45, Ratan alias Tiger Ratan, 39, and Mubarak Ali, 35. A case has been filed with Tarash Thana, reports UNB.

5 held with voters’ list in Bagerhat

BAGERHAT, Dec 26: Police arrested five supporters of local unit of four-party alliance along with voters' list from a mosque at Khalkulia village in Sadar upazila Monday night. The arrested were identified as Osman Sheikh, 34, Liakat Hossain, 25, Abul Hasan, 18, Khokon Mollah, 29, and Ehsan Naqib, 45, who hailed from same village. Police said they raided the mosque and arrested them when they were making slips in favour of 'sheaf of paddy' after collecting the numbers of voters from the final voters' list. Police Super Mohammad Awlad Ali Fakir said five people were arrested under Section 54. He said a number of voters' list and some documents in favour of a four party-backed candidate were also recovered from their possession, reports UNB.

Shops gutted

BAGERHAT, Dec 26: Three grocery shops were gutted in a fire at Barguni Pagla Bazar in Chitalmari upazila of the district Tuesday. Witnesses said the fire originated at a grocery shop of Asim Dilder from an electric short circuit at about 2pm and soon engulfed two adjacent shops. Local people doused the flame before it spread to other shops and nearby houses in the area. The affected shop owners estimated the losses caused by fire at about Tk five lakh, reports UNB.

Contraband seized, 3 held in Joypurhat

JOYPURHAT, Dec 26: A truck load of Indian cloths and fertilizer worth over Tk one crore were recovered and three smugglers arrested at Bagjana Bazar in frontier Panchbibi upazila early Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of RAB and BDR raided a Bogra-bound truck from Hili and recovered different cloths, sari and fertilizer. Three smugglers-Jakirul Islam and Shihab of Shibganj upazila of Bogra and Babu Mia of Panchbibi upazila in Joypurhat-were also arrested in this connection. A case was filed with local thana, reports UNB.