The New Nation - Internet Edition

Prices of food grains come down in S-Western dists

BSS, Narail

Prices of food grains are gradually coming down in 10 south-western districts as the harvesting of Aman paddy has begun in full swing.

Officials of Department of Agriculture Extension, Narail and people of the districts under the Khulna Division are expecting bumper production of Aman paddy this season due to favourable weather and easy availability of inputs including fertilisers.

Local people said the arrival of new paddy in the markets has pushed down its price by at least Taka three to five per kilogram.

Coarse rice is now selling at Tk 22 to 23 per kg as against Tk 25 to 28 before the start of harvesting season. The price of fine rice ranges between Tk 30 to 32 per kg compared to Tk 34 to 36 a month ago.

Market sources said price of one maund of quality paddy is Tk 650 to 670 at present as against Tk 700 to 750. Coarse paddy is now available at Tk 600 to 620 per mound as against 660 to 675 in last two weeks.

Production of 19.12 lakh tonnes of rice worth about Tk 3,250 crore is expected from 7.53 lakh hectares of land in Narail, Jessore, Jhenidah, Magura, Kushtia, Chuadanga Meherpur, Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat districts, the sources said.

Production of 2.70 tonnes hybrid Aman paddy and 1.60 tonnes of local Aman Paddy are expected from per hectare of land. Farmers Abul Khaer Khan of village Amada under Lohagora upazila and Golam Rasul Beg of village Hogladanga under Sadar upazila in Narail said Aman production would help them a lot to overcome their financial problems.

Favourable climate condition, adequate supply of necessary fertilisers and pesticides are the reasons behind the bumper production of Aman this season, they added. Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and other government Banks had disbursed adequate crop loans in time in Khulna Division.

Post-election violence continues in Barisal region

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Post-election violence continued in Barisal region and two Jatiyatabadi Chattra Dal (JCD) men were beaten by Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL) men in the city on last Sunday night.

The BCL activists locked at least 65 rooms of rival JCD members, Shibir activists and general students in two dormitories of BM College.

Dr. Sirajul Islam, Principal of BM College said a team of senior teachers; hall superintendent and student leaders visited the dormitories on Monday and opened the rooms.

Shuva Sen, joint convenor of BM College BCL when contacted rejected the allegation of involvement of BCL members in the incident. He said if BCL members found involved in the incident, they will take actions against them.

The Barisal Unit of BCL has suspended Sher-e-Bangla Medical College unit of BCL due to a factional clash over taking possession of rooms of rival students.

Ziaur rahman Zia, City BCL convener said they will take action if the BCL members were involved in the incident.

Another report said the AL activists attacked the house of a BNP worker Moslem Sikdar at Chhoygaon village under Hijla upazila and injured Moslem, his daughter and grand daughter.

Dalil Sikdar, Upazila AL president said a committee has been formed with prof. Razzak and Prof. Shahjahan to monitor the incidents of violence. He said if AL or BCL men were involved in the violence would be dealt with iron hand.

Police arrested six BCL activists at Muladi Upazila on last Sunday and sent them to jail on Monday in connection with the attack.

Another violence was reported from Patuakhali at Baufal in which an BNP worker was abducted and tortured and a village doctor on Monday while they went to Kalia Banday for marketing.

The worst incident of violence occurred at Golachipa Upazila of Patuakhali district on Monday. A group of AL activists torched some shops and damaged.

Rupganj Upazila chairman elected unopposed

Our Correspondent, Rupganj

No attraction in Upazila election at Rupganj as the chairman of the upazila was elected unopposed as all the candidates for the post withdrew their candidature except one.

All candidates of different parties supported the Upazila Awami League (AL) secretary Md. Shahjahan Bhuiyan as upazila chairman and withdrew their candidatures on December 31, the last day for withdrawal.

A total of 10 candidates are vying for the post of vice-chairmen both male and female and they are doing their electioneering to woo the voters. They are going door to door to meet the voters and making promises to do development work or other works to win the hearts of the voters.

5 cops among 7 hurt in Gopalganj road mishap

UNB, Gopalganj

Seven people, including five policemen, were injured in a road crash at Tilchhara in Kashiani upazila Saturday morning.

Police said the accident took place at about 11:30 am when a police vehicle, escorting Khulna City Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque on his way to Dhaka, collided with a pickup van.

Six of the injured were identified as SI Mansur, 40, constables Anwar, 25, Salam, 21, Shawkat, 22, and Manir, 23, and van driver Jalal,25. They were admitted to Kashiani upazila health complex where the condition of Jalal was stated to be critical.

Fishing boats looted, 5 kidnapped

UNB, Bagerhat

Pirates looted valuables worth Tk 10 lakh from eight boats and kidnapped five fishermen for ransom from Kachikhali, Dublarchar and Narikelbaria areas in between Mongla and Sharankhola upazilas on Friday night.

Fishermen said a gang of pirates numbering 15/16 swooped on their boats one after another and looted fishing nets, fishes and other valuables while they were fishing in the Bay.

Muggers loot Tk 7.41 lakh from two businessmen in Bhola

UNB, Bhola

Muggers looted cash Tk 7.41 lakh from two fish traders at Hakimuddin Bazaar Launch terminal in Borhanuddin upazila early Thursday.

Local people said the snatchers took away the money from fish trader Kabir and Shafik Bepari just after they returned to the upazila late at night selling fish in Dhaka.

On information, police arrested eight people in this connection and also recovered Tk 90,240 of the looted money.

Upazila electioneering reaches peak in Barisal region

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Electioneering in 10 upazilas of Barisal district has reached the peak as the voting day is approaching closer.

A total 166 contestants are on the race for the posts of chairmen, vice-chairmen (male) and vice-chairmen(female) of the upazilas. The entire district wore a different look with posters with photographs, banners.

Of the total, 78 are vying for the post of chairmen of ten upazilas, 53 for vice-chairmen(male) and 35 for vice-chairmen (female). Of the candidates, 85 are from AL, 42 from BNP and 8 JP and the rests are from others. It was found that AL has more than one candidate in every upazila for the same posts and the AL men were more active than others. Local political analysts say it because of the AL's landslide and stunning victory in the general election, which boosted their morality of winning the election.

They candidates are working hard from the very morning till late at night they holding public meetings, bringing out processions seeking votes. Their workers and supporters are seeking votes using loud speakers till late at night.

As many candidates are using loud speakers, the entire district has become noisy, which is harming the students who preparing for examinations. The loud speakers are also playing records of songs, which has made the situation worst for living and sleeping.

The contestants are going house to house braving the cold of winter to woo the voters. They are making various promises to the voters to do development works if elected and solve different problems the people are facing.

News Briefs

Urea seized in Bagerhat

BAGERHAT, Jan 13: Coast Guard members seized three trawlers along with 400 sacks of urea and arrested a man from Boleshwar river near Sanyashi village in Morelganj upazila on Friday midnight. Captain Bashir, commander of Coast Guard Western Zone, said a regular patrol team of the cost guard chased and seized the three trawlers loaded with 400 sacks of urea fertilizer. They also arrested driver (Sareng) of a trawler, Habibullah, 45, while the other smugglers and drivers jumped into the river and fled the scene. He said the trawlers were seized when the smugglers were taking the fertilizer to Myanmar, reports UNB.

Suspected dacoits held with bullet

GAZIPUR, Jan 12: Police arrested two suspected robbers along with 70 rounds of bullet and some equipment from a house in Shirir Chala area of Sadar upazila on Wednesday night. Joydevpur police in connection with a robbery committed at the Upaban Filling Station in the area recently conducted a drive at the house of Awal Master and arrested his tenants Mobarak Hossain, 34, and his sister Nasima Akhter alias Hasi, 23, at 10pm. They hailed from Nayanpur village in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh district, reports UNB.

Housewife electrocuted in Satkhira

SATKHIRA, Jan 13: A housewife was electrocuted at Shusilgati village in Debhata upazila on Friday morning. The victim was identified as Shahnaj Parvin, 23, wife Montu Morol of the village. Local people said Shahnaj, mother of a child, came in contact with a live electric wire at their poultry farm at about 7 am. She died on way to the Upazila Health Complex, reports UNB.

Five drug peddlers held in Jhenidah

JHENIDAH, Jan 13: Police, in separate drives, arrested five alleged drug peddlers along with 97 bottles of phensidyl syrup in Moheshpur and Kotchandpur upazilas on Wednesday. Police said they arrested Rabeya, 35, wife of Bahajjal of Samonta village in Moheshpur upazila along with 22 bottles of phensidyl syrup from the local bus stand. In another drive, police arrested four drug peddlers from a passenger bus in Kotchandpur upazila and also seized 75 bottles of phensidyl from their possession. The arrested were identified as Gaffar, Khokon, Monju and Rakib. Separate cases were filed, reports UNB.

Business establishments gutted in Jessore

JESSORE, Jan 13: Six business establishments were gutted partially in a fire near the Railway Station in the district town on Wednesday morning. Witnesses said the fire originated from an electric short circuit at about 9 am at one of the establishments in the area and soon engulfed the others, burning some valuables. Later, local people put out the blaze. Municipality Mayor and police officials visited the spot, reports UNB.