Abul Hasan, in a superb all-round display, guided Bangladesh to a thrilling one-wicket win against Zimbabwe in Khulna, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. The game was settled in the 47th over, but Bangladesh, it appeared, were out of contention when they lost their ninth wicket for 170, still 24 short of victory. However Abul approached the task at hand with aggression, striking five fours in his unbeaten 22, to ease the pressure off his partner Kamrul Islam, who faced just two deliveries in the 25-run stand. The target of 194 was achieved also due to a lower-order recovery led by Noor Hossain's 65 and Alauddin Babu's 34-ball 30.
The win undid a fine effort from Zimbabwe's opening bowler Tendai Chitara, who grabbed 4 for 35, to blow away the Bangladesh top order. Offspinner Simon Mugava supported him with 3 for 31, and left the home team reeling at 47 for 6. But Noor added 76 with Tasamul Haque (26) and a further 31 with Babu. In a see-saw game, Zimbabwe were favourites when the ninth wicket fell but Abul crushed their hopes.
Abul was also the chief wrecker in the Zimbabwe innings, grabbing 5 for 26 to bowl out the opposition for a below-par score. Not that Zimbabwe were spineless; each of their top five got to double-digits but were unable their scores into anything substantial. Dean Mazhawidza (42) and Mazvita Zambuko (39) added 67 for the third wicket and helped take their team to a comfortable position at 171 for 4. But the rest of the line-up crumbled; Zimbabwe lost their last six wickets for 22, proving crucial in the outcome.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Teenage girl found dead
Police recovered body of a missing teenage girl on Monday evening from a derelict pond near Bastuhara colony at Khalishpur of Khulna city.
Afsana Khatun,13, was only daughter of day- labourer Imam Hossain Howlader and a student of class five. Her father said, Afsana went missing since Sunday evening. He filed a general diary on the same day. The next day, cook Abdul Quddus of Bastuhara colony Islamia Madrasa informed police when he saw the body in the pond at 6:30 pm. Officer-in-charge (OC) Mokaddes Ali of Khalishpur police station said, the girl might have been killed after rape. Rozina Begum, mother of the girl said, some unruly boys of Bastuhara colony had threatened to abduct her daughter on last Friday as she refused to marry one Imdad Hossain of the same area. Imam Howlader lodged an FIR with Khalishpur police station at 10:30 pm on Monday.
Afsana Khatun,13, was only daughter of day- labourer Imam Hossain Howlader and a student of class five. Her father said, Afsana went missing since Sunday evening. He filed a general diary on the same day. The next day, cook Abdul Quddus of Bastuhara colony Islamia Madrasa informed police when he saw the body in the pond at 6:30 pm. Officer-in-charge (OC) Mokaddes Ali of Khalishpur police station said, the girl might have been killed after rape. Rozina Begum, mother of the girl said, some unruly boys of Bastuhara colony had threatened to abduct her daughter on last Friday as she refused to marry one Imdad Hossain of the same area. Imam Howlader lodged an FIR with Khalishpur police station at 10:30 pm on Monday.
Student politics at KMC banned
Authorities of Khulna Medical College (KMC) have imposed a ban on students' politics on the campus.
The decision came at an emergency meeting of the academic council held on Tuesday evening.
The meeting also decided to reopen two dormitories today (Thursday) and resume classes of the college on Saturday.
Following clashes between two rival factions of Chhatra League on the campus on Monday, Principal KP Sarker closed the college for an indefinite period from 4:00pm that day and asked students to vacate their dormitories by 6:00pm.
The academic council meeting on Tuesday formed a five-member committee headed by gynaecologist Dr Shamsunnahar Lucky to investigate Monday's incident on the campus.
Four other members of the probe committee are Dr Haridas Biswas, Dr Bishwajit Basu, Dr Mrinal Kanti Sarker and Dr Tayeb Ali.
The probe committee has been asked to submit report within seven working days to the college principal, said a press release issued on Tuesday night.
Local leaders and activists of the two main student organisations in Khulna have criticised imposition of ban on politics in KMC while a number of general students of the college and their guardians have hailed the decision to ban students politics at the institute.
President of Khulna city unit of Chhatra League Shafiqur Rahman Palash termed the decision as most 'undemocratic and unwise'.
He urged the KMC principal to withdraw ban on political activities on the campus and not to curtail fundamental rights of students merely for a 'trivial' matter that occurred on Monday.
Demanding withdrawal of the ban on politics on the KMC campus, acting president of Khulna city unit of Chhatra Dal Sheikh Saadi said, "General students are not supposed to pay for the offences of two rival factions of Chhatra League."
"The principal has taken a right decision by imposing ban on politics here. We are studying in the medical college to become physicians, not politicians. Closure of the college for political reason has done harm to our education," said Shabbir Hossain, a student of the college.
"The government spends huge money to make a physician. Politics in any medical college is not at all desirable as it disturbs our academic life," said another student Asif Ali.
Hailing the decision to ban politics on the KMC campus, Kabir Ahmed, guardian of a student, said, "There should be a permanent rule to keep both teachers and students of medical colleges away from political activities."
The decision came at an emergency meeting of the academic council held on Tuesday evening.
The meeting also decided to reopen two dormitories today (Thursday) and resume classes of the college on Saturday.
Following clashes between two rival factions of Chhatra League on the campus on Monday, Principal KP Sarker closed the college for an indefinite period from 4:00pm that day and asked students to vacate their dormitories by 6:00pm.
The academic council meeting on Tuesday formed a five-member committee headed by gynaecologist Dr Shamsunnahar Lucky to investigate Monday's incident on the campus.
Four other members of the probe committee are Dr Haridas Biswas, Dr Bishwajit Basu, Dr Mrinal Kanti Sarker and Dr Tayeb Ali.
The probe committee has been asked to submit report within seven working days to the college principal, said a press release issued on Tuesday night.
Local leaders and activists of the two main student organisations in Khulna have criticised imposition of ban on politics in KMC while a number of general students of the college and their guardians have hailed the decision to ban students politics at the institute.
President of Khulna city unit of Chhatra League Shafiqur Rahman Palash termed the decision as most 'undemocratic and unwise'.
He urged the KMC principal to withdraw ban on political activities on the campus and not to curtail fundamental rights of students merely for a 'trivial' matter that occurred on Monday.
Demanding withdrawal of the ban on politics on the KMC campus, acting president of Khulna city unit of Chhatra Dal Sheikh Saadi said, "General students are not supposed to pay for the offences of two rival factions of Chhatra League."
"The principal has taken a right decision by imposing ban on politics here. We are studying in the medical college to become physicians, not politicians. Closure of the college for political reason has done harm to our education," said Shabbir Hossain, a student of the college.
"The government spends huge money to make a physician. Politics in any medical college is not at all desirable as it disturbs our academic life," said another student Asif Ali.
Hailing the decision to ban politics on the KMC campus, Kabir Ahmed, guardian of a student, said, "There should be a permanent rule to keep both teachers and students of medical colleges away from political activities."
New inter-city train on Dhaka-Rajshahi route from Nov 23
Railway authorities are going to introduce new inter-city 'Dhumketu Express' from November 23.
Away in Khulna, the work on implementation of a project to modernise the district's railway station has begun.
The new luxury coach will start from Rajshahi station at 11:15 pm and reach Kamalapur station in Dhaka at 4:40 am the next day, general manager (GM) of Bangladesh Railway (BR) western zone Mushfikur Rahman said.
From Dhaka, the 798-seater train will leave at 5:35am on November 24 and reach Rajshahi next morning at 11:05 am. The minimum fare will be Tk 165 and the train will have air conditioned coaches including expensive AC-berth and AC-chair, reports our staff correspondent in Rajshahi.
'It was a long cherished demand of the locals and we are launching the night train ahead of Eid', said the GM.
The train will remain off the track on Mondays from Rajshahi and on Tuesdays from Dhaka.
With Dhumketu Express, the number of inter-city trains on the Rajshahi-Dhaka route will stand at three, two others being Silk City and Padma Express that carry 1,600 passengers daily.
Railway officials said, the Dhaka-bound train will stop at seven stations: Abdulpur (Natore), Chatmohor (Pabna), Baral Bridge (Pabna), Sadanandapur (Sirajganj), Bangabandhu Bridge (west), Joydevpur (Gazipur) and Zia International Airport.
In addition, the Rajshahi-bound Dhumketu Express will stop at Arani station in Rajshahi.
Our staff correspondent in Khulna reports: The much awaited work to implement the Tk50 crore modernisation project for
Khulna railway station has finally taken off.
A new two-storied station building and three platforms would be built under the project. Besides, construction of a shopping complex adjacent to main building of the railway station has also been included in the project.
The year 2011 has been set as deadline for its full implementation, said an engineer of Khulna railway zone.
Work on preparing the job schedule and inviting tenders for 'Khulna railway station and yard re-modeling' is going on, he said.
He said about 50 crore taka would be needed to build the new station building and three platforms.
The government has already allocated Tk 36.11 crore for this purpose, he added.
Modernisation of the 174-year-old Khulna railway station was one of the demands placed by the Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC).
It was also among the polls pledges of Awami League and BNP chiefs when they came to Khulna during campaign ahead of last national elections.
Away in Khulna, the work on implementation of a project to modernise the district's railway station has begun.
The new luxury coach will start from Rajshahi station at 11:15 pm and reach Kamalapur station in Dhaka at 4:40 am the next day, general manager (GM) of Bangladesh Railway (BR) western zone Mushfikur Rahman said.
From Dhaka, the 798-seater train will leave at 5:35am on November 24 and reach Rajshahi next morning at 11:05 am. The minimum fare will be Tk 165 and the train will have air conditioned coaches including expensive AC-berth and AC-chair, reports our staff correspondent in Rajshahi.
'It was a long cherished demand of the locals and we are launching the night train ahead of Eid', said the GM.
The train will remain off the track on Mondays from Rajshahi and on Tuesdays from Dhaka.
With Dhumketu Express, the number of inter-city trains on the Rajshahi-Dhaka route will stand at three, two others being Silk City and Padma Express that carry 1,600 passengers daily.
Railway officials said, the Dhaka-bound train will stop at seven stations: Abdulpur (Natore), Chatmohor (Pabna), Baral Bridge (Pabna), Sadanandapur (Sirajganj), Bangabandhu Bridge (west), Joydevpur (Gazipur) and Zia International Airport.
In addition, the Rajshahi-bound Dhumketu Express will stop at Arani station in Rajshahi.
Our staff correspondent in Khulna reports: The much awaited work to implement the Tk50 crore modernisation project for
Khulna railway station has finally taken off.
A new two-storied station building and three platforms would be built under the project. Besides, construction of a shopping complex adjacent to main building of the railway station has also been included in the project.
The year 2011 has been set as deadline for its full implementation, said an engineer of Khulna railway zone.
Work on preparing the job schedule and inviting tenders for 'Khulna railway station and yard re-modeling' is going on, he said.
He said about 50 crore taka would be needed to build the new station building and three platforms.
The government has already allocated Tk 36.11 crore for this purpose, he added.
Modernisation of the 174-year-old Khulna railway station was one of the demands placed by the Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC).
It was also among the polls pledges of Awami League and BNP chiefs when they came to Khulna during campaign ahead of last national elections.
Resourceful Khulna left in the cold
Khulna division is lagging far behind the rest of the country despite the fact that it is one of the most resourceful regions with good prospects for industries and tourism, speakers at a round-table discussion yesterday said.
The speakers at the discussion titled “Development of Khulna division: problems and prospects” organised by The Daily Star at Hotel Royal International in Khulna attributed this backwardness to fragile road communications and crises of power and gas.
They also demanded special allocation to the division given that it is a disaster-prone area and natural disasters every year cause huge damage to its resources.
They suggested the government makes the Mongla Port fully operational, accelerate the construction of Padma Bridge, supply gas to the region and complete the construction of Khulna Khan Jahan Ali Airport to utilise the full potential of the region.
The government should take immediate steps to reopen the closed newsprint and jute mills to bring back vibrancy in economy and form Khulna-Sudarbans Development Authority to turn the region into a tourism hub, the speakers said.
“Khulna produces jute and fish in huge quantity, especially prawn but we are ruining these industries as most of the jute mills are closed while it lacks proper infrastructure for fish cultivation and export,” said Khulna Chamber President Shahruzzaman Mortaza.
He said the successive governments had neglected Khulna, which is why very good river and road links had not developed here and power supply is inadequate.
Mongla Port has very good potential but the authorities are not paying attention to it, Mortaza said demanding its operation in full swing to facilitate exports and imports.
“A tonne of goods for exports requires additional transport cost of 20-25 dollars; we have to export them through Chittagong Port as we cannot use Mongla Port,” said Abdul Mannan, a jute exporter.
Ships hardly come to Mongla Port, he said, adding that the exporters also have to wait in queue for a long time while goods that are frequently exported cannot be supplied in time. “We are therefore losing competitiveness,” he added.
Khulna was once an industrial zone, which is now getting ruined due to lack of infrastructure, he said.
Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman of Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee said the government project to install a gas pipeline from Alenga of Tangail to Khulna has been stalled for long.
“This project is a must otherwise the government should supply gas from the Bhola Gas Field to Khulna,” he said.
Journalist Mokbul Hossain said there had been no investment in Khulna region. A rail link should be set up between Mongla and Khulna to make the port better functional, he noted.
Stating that poverty level in Khulna division has not come down unlike the other regions, a teacher Anwarul Kadir said, the region, therefore, requires special allocation for its development.
Professor Purnendu Gain, pro-vice chancellor of Khulna University, said the government could earn a lot more revenue if Sundarbans were developed as a tourism spot in a planned manner.
“The forest can be the world's best tourist spot if the authorities plan it that way but facilities should be created for that. Khulna airport should be completed fast for that purpose,” he said.
Atiar Rahman, deputy director (Public Relations) of Khulna University, proposed formation of Khulna-Sundarban Development Authority for planned development of the region.
Speakers said the Farakka Barrage contributed to the siltation of the riverbeds resulting in salinity and waterlogging in many parts of the region yet another major problem.
Rafiqul Islam Khokon of Rupantor said the government should take Cyclone Preparedness Programme in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira as it was done in other coastal districts.
Journalist Zahid Hossain suggested formation of a special law enforcement agency for the region, as cross-border crimes, women and child trafficking are on the rise alarmingly in the region.
The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam who moderated the discussion said The Daily Star would bring out a special monthly page on Khulna division and will sincerely try to focus more on the problems and prospects of the region to draw government's attention.
Advocates Firoz Ahmed, Mujibur Rahman, Kudrat-e-Khuda and Sabiha Haque, Nagorik Samaj Convener Sheikh Abdul Qaiyum, social worker Shamima Sultana, Khulna Press Club General Secretary Zakir Hossain and teacher Rehana Akhter also spoke.
The speakers at the discussion titled “Development of Khulna division: problems and prospects” organised by The Daily Star at Hotel Royal International in Khulna attributed this backwardness to fragile road communications and crises of power and gas.
They also demanded special allocation to the division given that it is a disaster-prone area and natural disasters every year cause huge damage to its resources.
They suggested the government makes the Mongla Port fully operational, accelerate the construction of Padma Bridge, supply gas to the region and complete the construction of Khulna Khan Jahan Ali Airport to utilise the full potential of the region.
The government should take immediate steps to reopen the closed newsprint and jute mills to bring back vibrancy in economy and form Khulna-Sudarbans Development Authority to turn the region into a tourism hub, the speakers said.
“Khulna produces jute and fish in huge quantity, especially prawn but we are ruining these industries as most of the jute mills are closed while it lacks proper infrastructure for fish cultivation and export,” said Khulna Chamber President Shahruzzaman Mortaza.
He said the successive governments had neglected Khulna, which is why very good river and road links had not developed here and power supply is inadequate.
Mongla Port has very good potential but the authorities are not paying attention to it, Mortaza said demanding its operation in full swing to facilitate exports and imports.
“A tonne of goods for exports requires additional transport cost of 20-25 dollars; we have to export them through Chittagong Port as we cannot use Mongla Port,” said Abdul Mannan, a jute exporter.
Ships hardly come to Mongla Port, he said, adding that the exporters also have to wait in queue for a long time while goods that are frequently exported cannot be supplied in time. “We are therefore losing competitiveness,” he added.
Khulna was once an industrial zone, which is now getting ruined due to lack of infrastructure, he said.
Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman of Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee said the government project to install a gas pipeline from Alenga of Tangail to Khulna has been stalled for long.
“This project is a must otherwise the government should supply gas from the Bhola Gas Field to Khulna,” he said.
Journalist Mokbul Hossain said there had been no investment in Khulna region. A rail link should be set up between Mongla and Khulna to make the port better functional, he noted.
Stating that poverty level in Khulna division has not come down unlike the other regions, a teacher Anwarul Kadir said, the region, therefore, requires special allocation for its development.
Professor Purnendu Gain, pro-vice chancellor of Khulna University, said the government could earn a lot more revenue if Sundarbans were developed as a tourism spot in a planned manner.
“The forest can be the world's best tourist spot if the authorities plan it that way but facilities should be created for that. Khulna airport should be completed fast for that purpose,” he said.
Atiar Rahman, deputy director (Public Relations) of Khulna University, proposed formation of Khulna-Sundarban Development Authority for planned development of the region.
Speakers said the Farakka Barrage contributed to the siltation of the riverbeds resulting in salinity and waterlogging in many parts of the region yet another major problem.
Rafiqul Islam Khokon of Rupantor said the government should take Cyclone Preparedness Programme in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira as it was done in other coastal districts.
Journalist Zahid Hossain suggested formation of a special law enforcement agency for the region, as cross-border crimes, women and child trafficking are on the rise alarmingly in the region.
The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam who moderated the discussion said The Daily Star would bring out a special monthly page on Khulna division and will sincerely try to focus more on the problems and prospects of the region to draw government's attention.
Advocates Firoz Ahmed, Mujibur Rahman, Kudrat-e-Khuda and Sabiha Haque, Nagorik Samaj Convener Sheikh Abdul Qaiyum, social worker Shamima Sultana, Khulna Press Club General Secretary Zakir Hossain and teacher Rehana Akhter also spoke.
Gas supply to 6 dists by 2011
Six out of 10 districts of Khulna division will come under gas supply through pipeline by the end of 2011.
Disclosing this Project Director of Sundarban Gas Company Ltd (SGCL) Md Kamal Uddin told The Daily Star that implementation of the South-Western Gas Distribution Project is expected to start in November this year.
Once the project gets final nod from the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec), which is likely next month, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be approached for release of its committed fund for this projrct, he said.
The ADB has committed to provide Tk 280 crore out of Tk 643 crore required to implement first phase of the project. And Tk 363 crore would come from the government fund, the SGCL project director mentioned.
In the first phase, a 901-km long pipeline would be laid in six districts -- Khulna, Bagerhat, Kushtia, Jhenidah, Chuadanga and Jessore.
Four other districts--Satkhira, Magura, Narail and Meherpur-- would be brought under the poject in the second phase, Kamal Uddin said.
Estimates of fund needed for the second phase, and its implementation period are yet to be finalised.
Meanwhile, Petrobangla has started preliminary work for installing a 30-inch diameter pipeline from Ashuganj to Bheramara.
Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque said gas supply would largely contribute to economic development of south-western region in particular and the country in general.
President of Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee Liakat Ali hoped that gas supply would encourage both local and foreign investors to set up industries in this region, and help reopening of closed mills and healthy operation of sick ones.
Disclosing this Project Director of Sundarban Gas Company Ltd (SGCL) Md Kamal Uddin told The Daily Star that implementation of the South-Western Gas Distribution Project is expected to start in November this year.
Once the project gets final nod from the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec), which is likely next month, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be approached for release of its committed fund for this projrct, he said.
The ADB has committed to provide Tk 280 crore out of Tk 643 crore required to implement first phase of the project. And Tk 363 crore would come from the government fund, the SGCL project director mentioned.
In the first phase, a 901-km long pipeline would be laid in six districts -- Khulna, Bagerhat, Kushtia, Jhenidah, Chuadanga and Jessore.
Four other districts--Satkhira, Magura, Narail and Meherpur-- would be brought under the poject in the second phase, Kamal Uddin said.
Estimates of fund needed for the second phase, and its implementation period are yet to be finalised.
Meanwhile, Petrobangla has started preliminary work for installing a 30-inch diameter pipeline from Ashuganj to Bheramara.
Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque said gas supply would largely contribute to economic development of south-western region in particular and the country in general.
President of Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee Liakat Ali hoped that gas supply would encourage both local and foreign investors to set up industries in this region, and help reopening of closed mills and healthy operation of sick ones.
14 sugar traders get bail
The High Court granted anticipatory bail to 14 sugar traders from Jessore and Khulna yesterday in two cases filed on charges of illegally stocking sugar last month.
The HC bench of Justice AFM Abdur Rahman and Justice Md Emdadul Haque Azad also issued separate rules upon the government to explain why the accused should not be given regular bail.
The people, who were granted bail, are--Abdul Wahab, Anisur Rahman alias Boro Anis, Anisur Rahman alias Chhoto Anis, Abdul Wadud, Modhusudan Saha, Raju Ahmed, Mohammad Amin, Chitta Ranjan Kundu, Hafizur Rahman Babu, Safier Rahman, Rafiqul Islam, Alok Kumar Kundu, Sirajul Islam and Sarwar Hossain.
The court issued the orders after the traders filed two petitions asking for bail.
On October 1, district marketing officer of Jessore Sujat Hossain Khan filed the cases with Abhaynagar Police Station against them.
In the case statement, he said the defendants had hoarded a total of 71,010 sacks of sugar instead of supplying them to market last month.
Advocate TH Khan and Dr M Zahir appeared for the petitioners.
The HC bench of Justice AFM Abdur Rahman and Justice Md Emdadul Haque Azad also issued separate rules upon the government to explain why the accused should not be given regular bail.
The people, who were granted bail, are--Abdul Wahab, Anisur Rahman alias Boro Anis, Anisur Rahman alias Chhoto Anis, Abdul Wadud, Modhusudan Saha, Raju Ahmed, Mohammad Amin, Chitta Ranjan Kundu, Hafizur Rahman Babu, Safier Rahman, Rafiqul Islam, Alok Kumar Kundu, Sirajul Islam and Sarwar Hossain.
The court issued the orders after the traders filed two petitions asking for bail.
On October 1, district marketing officer of Jessore Sujat Hossain Khan filed the cases with Abhaynagar Police Station against them.
In the case statement, he said the defendants had hoarded a total of 71,010 sacks of sugar instead of supplying them to market last month.
Advocate TH Khan and Dr M Zahir appeared for the petitioners.
Risky living in Khulna
Over 1,000 people have been living dangerously in about 100 risky and dilapidated buildings in the city.
Declared risky and abandoned by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Khulna City Corporation (KCC) in 2004, these buildings could not be demolished due to interference of some influential politicians and businessmen, sources said.
Besides, a section of officials at the district administration, KCC and PWD are creating obstacles to knocking down the buildings, according to the source.
A high-level committee formed on June 10 in 2004 by KCC identified 60 buildings as highly risky based on a survey and recommended their demolition.
Then it served notices upon the owners to vacate their building within a month for demolishing. But only two buildings were knocked down in January, 2006.
Since 2004 another nine-member committee has written several letters to the public works ministry to sell 15 highly risky buildings, including Khulna district jail building, on the list. But nothing has been done in this regard.
KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque said now the number of risky buildings is about 100.
The city corporation has the authority to demolish the buildings if the owners do not vacate those within the given timeframe, the mayor said.
While visiting West Mekot, Kalibari and Ferryghat roads in the city, Ali Asgar Khan and Afsar Nikari told this correspondent that the residents get scared during the stormy weather.
A high official at KCC said the buildings on the list could not be demolished due to lack of coordination among the Public Works Department, district administration and Khulna city corporation.
Two persons were killed in roof collapse of a two-storied building on Mahendra Das Road on July 20 last year while two others seriously injured in wall collapse of another building on Ferryghat Road on March 13 this year.
The two buildings were on the list of KCC made in 2004.
TCB sugar sale at Khulna in a mess
Most of the TCB-appointed sugar traders of Khulna, allegedly selected on political considerations, could not be traced despite frantic searches at the addresses they provided in their applications.
As consumers complained of not getting Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) allocated sugar at Tk 42, it was found that many of the 105 dealers appointed for Khulna Metropolitan City did not sell the allotted sugar to general consumers. There are widespread allegations that they sold the sugar to the wholesales and retail markets at premium rate.
Each of the dealers of Khulna metropolitan city had been allotted one metric tonne of sugar from September 7 for sale at Tk 42 a kg on condition that they must sell it in the shops they mentioned as their addresses.
The dealers were supposed to hang a red banner inscribing the announcement "Sale of TCB sugar in open market" in front of their designated selling points. But during spot visits it was found that the dealers used fictitious addresses to get TCB allotments and consumers complained of not getting sugar at fair price from them.
Messrs Nayan Traders, an assigned shop, could not be traced on the city's Ahsan Ahmed Road though its proprietor Shamsuddin Ahmed Shyam obtained TCB dealership furnishing that address. Asked whether he had sold the allotted sugar to the consumers, Shyam told The Daily Star on Tuesday that he would start selling sugar from another shop adjacent to his residence at East Bania Khamar from Wednesday.
But locals said the TCB dealer put no sugar on sale till yesterday.
Asked TCB's Khulna Region Chief Rabiul Morshed said, dealer Shamsuddin Ahmed Shyam would lose his dealership if he sold sugar elsewhere instead of the designated selling point.
Two other appointed shops --Shaikat Enterprise and Shanta Store--could not be found on TB Cross Road in Khulna City. Local people alleged that they are not yet sure who their dealer is for selling sugar at fair price.
Rabiul Morshed acknowledged that both Shaikat Enterprise and Shanta Store used the TB Cross Road addresses for obtaining dealership and took delivery of their allotted sugar on September 9. However, Rabiul Morshed could not say for sure whether those addresses were genuine or false.
Md Didar Hossain, owner of Jainal Store at Skid Ghat area claimed of exhausting his allotted quota of sugar by selling that at fair price but locals alleged that they didn't even know the dealer and did not see sugar selling at fair price in their neighbourhood.
Yad Fuad Enterprise of Sher-e-Bangla road is listed with TCB but people of the area said they had never seen any such shop at Sher-e-Bangla road selling sugar at fair price.
Although Messrs Kohinoor Store, another dealer's shop, was found on Cemetery Road, people living in the area said they did not see the shop selling sugar at all. No banner was found hanging there.
On such gross irregularities, Rabiul Morshed said he would initiate investigation if anyone made written complaint against the malpractice by any of the TCB listed dealers. Both their dealership and security deposit would be forfeited if such allegations were proven true, he added.
He, however, refused to comment on the number of dealers appointed on political considerations.
Against this backdrop, the consumers in Khulna are now compelled to buy sugar at Tk 62 per kg from the retailers.
As consumers complained of not getting Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) allocated sugar at Tk 42, it was found that many of the 105 dealers appointed for Khulna Metropolitan City did not sell the allotted sugar to general consumers. There are widespread allegations that they sold the sugar to the wholesales and retail markets at premium rate.
Each of the dealers of Khulna metropolitan city had been allotted one metric tonne of sugar from September 7 for sale at Tk 42 a kg on condition that they must sell it in the shops they mentioned as their addresses.
The dealers were supposed to hang a red banner inscribing the announcement "Sale of TCB sugar in open market" in front of their designated selling points. But during spot visits it was found that the dealers used fictitious addresses to get TCB allotments and consumers complained of not getting sugar at fair price from them.
Messrs Nayan Traders, an assigned shop, could not be traced on the city's Ahsan Ahmed Road though its proprietor Shamsuddin Ahmed Shyam obtained TCB dealership furnishing that address. Asked whether he had sold the allotted sugar to the consumers, Shyam told The Daily Star on Tuesday that he would start selling sugar from another shop adjacent to his residence at East Bania Khamar from Wednesday.
But locals said the TCB dealer put no sugar on sale till yesterday.
Asked TCB's Khulna Region Chief Rabiul Morshed said, dealer Shamsuddin Ahmed Shyam would lose his dealership if he sold sugar elsewhere instead of the designated selling point.
Two other appointed shops --Shaikat Enterprise and Shanta Store--could not be found on TB Cross Road in Khulna City. Local people alleged that they are not yet sure who their dealer is for selling sugar at fair price.
Rabiul Morshed acknowledged that both Shaikat Enterprise and Shanta Store used the TB Cross Road addresses for obtaining dealership and took delivery of their allotted sugar on September 9. However, Rabiul Morshed could not say for sure whether those addresses were genuine or false.
Md Didar Hossain, owner of Jainal Store at Skid Ghat area claimed of exhausting his allotted quota of sugar by selling that at fair price but locals alleged that they didn't even know the dealer and did not see sugar selling at fair price in their neighbourhood.
Yad Fuad Enterprise of Sher-e-Bangla road is listed with TCB but people of the area said they had never seen any such shop at Sher-e-Bangla road selling sugar at fair price.
Although Messrs Kohinoor Store, another dealer's shop, was found on Cemetery Road, people living in the area said they did not see the shop selling sugar at all. No banner was found hanging there.
On such gross irregularities, Rabiul Morshed said he would initiate investigation if anyone made written complaint against the malpractice by any of the TCB listed dealers. Both their dealership and security deposit would be forfeited if such allegations were proven true, he added.
He, however, refused to comment on the number of dealers appointed on political considerations.
Against this backdrop, the consumers in Khulna are now compelled to buy sugar at Tk 62 per kg from the retailers.
'Jatka' seized in Khulna, Barisal
Rab seized huge quantities of 'jatka' (Hilsa fry upto 9 inches) from a river in Khulna on Saturday and a bus stand in Barisal the day before.
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) personnel seized around 250 maunds of 'jatka' from two trawlers in the Bhoirab river Saturday morning, according to UNB.
Acting on a tip-off, a special team of Rab-6 raided the trawlers at ghat no-5 of the river at about 7am and seized the hilsa fries worth Tk 20 lakh.
BSS adds from Barisal: Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) seized a huge quantity of 'jatka' Friday night at the city's Ruptoli bus stand.
Rab sources said, acting on a tip-off, a team of the Rab intercepted a number of buses at the city's Ruptoli bus stand and seized the jatka while being transported to Dhaka from Patuakhali for sale.
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) personnel seized around 250 maunds of 'jatka' from two trawlers in the Bhoirab river Saturday morning, according to UNB.
Acting on a tip-off, a special team of Rab-6 raided the trawlers at ghat no-5 of the river at about 7am and seized the hilsa fries worth Tk 20 lakh.
BSS adds from Barisal: Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) seized a huge quantity of 'jatka' Friday night at the city's Ruptoli bus stand.
Rab sources said, acting on a tip-off, a team of the Rab intercepted a number of buses at the city's Ruptoli bus stand and seized the jatka while being transported to Dhaka from Patuakhali for sale.
BNP National Council Dec 8: Most dist committees yet to be formed
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is going ahead with holding its much-awaited council on December 8 without formation of most of the district committees, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal and Khulna cities.
Party sources said about 50 out of 75 organisational district committees are yet to be constituted though there are only two more days in hand for the time limit to form district committees to expire.
In a letter issued in October party leaders at district level were asked to complete their conferences and form committees by November 25.
By this time, few more committees are likely to be formed. Despite this at least one-third district committees may not be formed ahead of the council, party sources apprehended.
A joint secretary general of the party hoped that most of the district committees would be formed before the council.
Asked whether the time limit would be extended to pave the way for completion of conference and formation of district committees, he said districts leaders have been advised over telephone to complete their conference by December 4.
In the meantime, he said, most of the committees would be formed before the council.
The leader, however, said if some district committees are not formed before the council, the party would select and invite delegates from respective districts using its own mechanism.
Insiders said, district committees in a number of districts could not be held as a large number of enthusiastic local leaders were "trying to get position" in the district committee that caused some internal conflicts resulting in delaying in formation of those committees.
BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan accused the ruling party and government actions in different districts creating problems to hold conference as per schedule.
He alleged that in many districts the BNP was not given permission for certain venue while the ruling party attacked and foiled party conferences in different localities.
Replying to a question, he said all the preparations are going ahead satisfactorily to make the council a success.
The council is being held to fulfill the requirements of the amended Representation of People Order (RPO) for party registration.
The previous council was held at Manik Miah Avenue on September 1 and 2, 1992.
Party sources said about 50 out of 75 organisational district committees are yet to be constituted though there are only two more days in hand for the time limit to form district committees to expire.
In a letter issued in October party leaders at district level were asked to complete their conferences and form committees by November 25.
By this time, few more committees are likely to be formed. Despite this at least one-third district committees may not be formed ahead of the council, party sources apprehended.
A joint secretary general of the party hoped that most of the district committees would be formed before the council.
Asked whether the time limit would be extended to pave the way for completion of conference and formation of district committees, he said districts leaders have been advised over telephone to complete their conference by December 4.
In the meantime, he said, most of the committees would be formed before the council.
The leader, however, said if some district committees are not formed before the council, the party would select and invite delegates from respective districts using its own mechanism.
Insiders said, district committees in a number of districts could not be held as a large number of enthusiastic local leaders were "trying to get position" in the district committee that caused some internal conflicts resulting in delaying in formation of those committees.
BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan accused the ruling party and government actions in different districts creating problems to hold conference as per schedule.
He alleged that in many districts the BNP was not given permission for certain venue while the ruling party attacked and foiled party conferences in different localities.
Replying to a question, he said all the preparations are going ahead satisfactorily to make the council a success.
The council is being held to fulfill the requirements of the amended Representation of People Order (RPO) for party registration.
The previous council was held at Manik Miah Avenue on September 1 and 2, 1992.
KMC tense as students demonstrate on campus
Students of Khulna Medical College (KMC) accompanied by outsider Chhatra League activists yesterday demonstrated on the campus demanding immediate removal of Principal KP Sarker and his punishment for 'dishonouring' father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The agitation followed removal of posters bearing Bangabandhu's portraits from the walls of KMC by its staff on Saturday night.
Recently the principal imposed ban on political activities on the campus but Chhatra League activists pasted posters on the college walls demanding withdrawal of the ban.
All the posters had photograph of Bangabandhu.
Asked by Principal KP Sarker, college employees under the supervision of head clerk Moniruzzaman torn off all the posters on Saturday night.
Hearing the news, students of two residential halls staged demonstration at midnight in protest against what they said audacity of the principal.
Later, members of Teachers' Academic Council intervened to pacify the agitated students.
When contacted, Principal KP Sarker said, "I had ordered removal of the posters pasted on the notice board, not on walls. The head clerk and other employees did excess to defame me. I have formed a three-member committee headed by Dr Dulal Krishna to probe the incident. I have also served notices on responsible persons to show cause within three working days why departmental action should not be taken against them for the excess."
On the other hand, Head Clerk Moniruzzaman said, "I had just carried out the principal's order with the help of employees. The principal did not tell me specifically to remove only the posters on the notice board. So, the question of doing any excess does not arise at all."
The agitation followed removal of posters bearing Bangabandhu's portraits from the walls of KMC by its staff on Saturday night.
Recently the principal imposed ban on political activities on the campus but Chhatra League activists pasted posters on the college walls demanding withdrawal of the ban.
All the posters had photograph of Bangabandhu.
Asked by Principal KP Sarker, college employees under the supervision of head clerk Moniruzzaman torn off all the posters on Saturday night.
Hearing the news, students of two residential halls staged demonstration at midnight in protest against what they said audacity of the principal.
Later, members of Teachers' Academic Council intervened to pacify the agitated students.
When contacted, Principal KP Sarker said, "I had ordered removal of the posters pasted on the notice board, not on walls. The head clerk and other employees did excess to defame me. I have formed a three-member committee headed by Dr Dulal Krishna to probe the incident. I have also served notices on responsible persons to show cause within three working days why departmental action should not be taken against them for the excess."
On the other hand, Head Clerk Moniruzzaman said, "I had just carried out the principal's order with the help of employees. The principal did not tell me specifically to remove only the posters on the notice board. So, the question of doing any excess does not arise at all."
Khulna city BNP holds council Wednesday
The council of Khulna City BNP will be held at local circuit house maidan on Wednesday.
In case of inclement weather, the venue will be shifted to Zia Hall, said lawmaker and City BNP Convener Nazrul Islam Manju.
Twelve sub-committees have been formed to make the council a success. Besides, a media cell has also been set up in the party office with Kanak Rahman as its convener.
Kanak said 355 councillors from five thana committees will cast their votes to elect new president, general secretary and organising secretary of the city BNP. Voting by ballots will take place from 7:30pm at Gymnasium of Khulna District Sports Association (KDSA), he added.
Other programmes of the day include documentary on background of the party highlighting different aspects of its political commitments to the people, role of its founder late President Ziaur Rahman in switching over to multi-party system and a cultural function.
Festoons and placards containing portraits of late Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman have been hung and work for erecting arches at different points of the city is going on, media cell convener said.
Distinguished guests including leaders of all political parties of Khulna and other districts of south-western region have been invited to attend the council.
Lawmaker Nazrul Islam Manju, when asked, denied intra-party squabbles in Khulna city BNP and hoped to hold the council peacefully.
In case of inclement weather, the venue will be shifted to Zia Hall, said lawmaker and City BNP Convener Nazrul Islam Manju.
Twelve sub-committees have been formed to make the council a success. Besides, a media cell has also been set up in the party office with Kanak Rahman as its convener.
Kanak said 355 councillors from five thana committees will cast their votes to elect new president, general secretary and organising secretary of the city BNP. Voting by ballots will take place from 7:30pm at Gymnasium of Khulna District Sports Association (KDSA), he added.
Other programmes of the day include documentary on background of the party highlighting different aspects of its political commitments to the people, role of its founder late President Ziaur Rahman in switching over to multi-party system and a cultural function.
Festoons and placards containing portraits of late Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman have been hung and work for erecting arches at different points of the city is going on, media cell convener said.
Distinguished guests including leaders of all political parties of Khulna and other districts of south-western region have been invited to attend the council.
Lawmaker Nazrul Islam Manju, when asked, denied intra-party squabbles in Khulna city BNP and hoped to hold the council peacefully.
Bela Legal Notice on Govt
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA) served a legal notice yesterday asking the government to take appropriate steps for protecting the Aila victims in the southwestern areas of Khulna and Satkhira districts.
The notice stated that people in waterlogged upazilas of Dakop and Koira in Khulna, and Shyamnagar and Ashashuni in Satkhira are living in meager condition without any stable supply of food, clothing and shelter.
The cyclone surge broke most of the embankments and the water from the river is, at present, gushing out in those areas, thereby flooding the areas with saline water, the notice said.
It added that the local people are unable to return to their homes and are exposed to greater health hazards.
The notice demanded the government adopt measures to ensure repairing or construction of all local embankments in the Aila-hit areas by January 2010, ensure proper maintenance of all coastal embankments and prevention of shrimp cultivation, continue supply of food, drinking water, medicines, sanitation facilities, until embankments are repaired and provide winter clothes to the affected people.
The secretaries to the ministries of the water resources, the disaster management and relief, the local government, rural development and cooperatives, the food, the health, the environment and forest, the director general of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and its divisional engineers in Khulna and Satkhira have been asked to take appropriate measures for the Aila victims
BELA chief Syeda Rizwana Hasan yesterday told The Daily Star that if the respondents do not take appropriate measures for the Aila victims, her organisation would take legal actions against them.
The notice stated that people in waterlogged upazilas of Dakop and Koira in Khulna, and Shyamnagar and Ashashuni in Satkhira are living in meager condition without any stable supply of food, clothing and shelter.
The cyclone surge broke most of the embankments and the water from the river is, at present, gushing out in those areas, thereby flooding the areas with saline water, the notice said.
It added that the local people are unable to return to their homes and are exposed to greater health hazards.
The notice demanded the government adopt measures to ensure repairing or construction of all local embankments in the Aila-hit areas by January 2010, ensure proper maintenance of all coastal embankments and prevention of shrimp cultivation, continue supply of food, drinking water, medicines, sanitation facilities, until embankments are repaired and provide winter clothes to the affected people.
The secretaries to the ministries of the water resources, the disaster management and relief, the local government, rural development and cooperatives, the food, the health, the environment and forest, the director general of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and its divisional engineers in Khulna and Satkhira have been asked to take appropriate measures for the Aila victims
BELA chief Syeda Rizwana Hasan yesterday told The Daily Star that if the respondents do not take appropriate measures for the Aila victims, her organisation would take legal actions against them.
2 'outlaws' killed in 'shootouts'
Two outlaws were killed in separate 'shootouts' between their cohorts and law enforcers in Kushtia and Khulna districts early yesterday.
Two policemen were also injured during the gunfight in Khulna.
The dead were identified as Amirul Islam Khan, 40, a top cadre of outlawed Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF) and son of Shomsel Khan of Kushtia sadar upazila, and Nirapada Bairagi, 50, operations commander of New Biplobi Communist Party in Khulna.
Our Kushtia correspondent reports, Amirul was killed in a 'shoot out' between his associates and police at Bittipara village in sadar upazila early yesterday.
According to police, a joint team of Detective Branch and Islamic University police raided the Bittipara field near Bittipara bazar following a tip-off that some cadres of GMF were holding a secret meeting there at about 2:30am.
The law enforcers surrounded the area and asked the outlaws to surrender. But they defied and opened fire forcing them to fire back, police said.
The incident triggered a half-an-hour long gunfight. Amirul was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot.
His accomplices, however, managed to escape. Police recovered one LG gun and four bullets from the spot.
Amirul was accused in 12 cases including eight for murder filed with different police stations in Kushtia, police said.
Our staff correspondent in Khulna reports: Nirapada Bairagi was killed in a shootout between his associates and police around 3:10am at Ranai village of Dumuria upazila in Khulna yesterday.
He was the son of Shannashi Bairagi of Sajiarha village of the upazila.
Fauzul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Dumuria Police Station, said the law enforcers raided the spot following a tip-off that some outlaws were holding a secret meeting.
Sensing presence of the police, the outlaws opened fire prompting them to retaliate that triggered a gunfight.
At one stage, the outlaws fled the scene leaving Nirapada dead.
According to Khulna police super, two policemen received bullets in their legs during the 35-minute long gunfight. They are undergoing treatment at the Dumuria Health Complex.
The outlaws fired twenty shots while police retaliated and fired 11 rounds in self-defence, police super added.
Police recovered a shutter gun, three cartridges, a rifle bullet and five empty shells from the scene.
The deceased was wanted in several murder, kidnapping and dacoity cases, OC added.
Two policemen were also injured during the gunfight in Khulna.
The dead were identified as Amirul Islam Khan, 40, a top cadre of outlawed Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF) and son of Shomsel Khan of Kushtia sadar upazila, and Nirapada Bairagi, 50, operations commander of New Biplobi Communist Party in Khulna.
Our Kushtia correspondent reports, Amirul was killed in a 'shoot out' between his associates and police at Bittipara village in sadar upazila early yesterday.
According to police, a joint team of Detective Branch and Islamic University police raided the Bittipara field near Bittipara bazar following a tip-off that some cadres of GMF were holding a secret meeting there at about 2:30am.
The law enforcers surrounded the area and asked the outlaws to surrender. But they defied and opened fire forcing them to fire back, police said.
The incident triggered a half-an-hour long gunfight. Amirul was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot.
His accomplices, however, managed to escape. Police recovered one LG gun and four bullets from the spot.
Amirul was accused in 12 cases including eight for murder filed with different police stations in Kushtia, police said.
Our staff correspondent in Khulna reports: Nirapada Bairagi was killed in a shootout between his associates and police around 3:10am at Ranai village of Dumuria upazila in Khulna yesterday.
He was the son of Shannashi Bairagi of Sajiarha village of the upazila.
Fauzul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Dumuria Police Station, said the law enforcers raided the spot following a tip-off that some outlaws were holding a secret meeting.
Sensing presence of the police, the outlaws opened fire prompting them to retaliate that triggered a gunfight.
At one stage, the outlaws fled the scene leaving Nirapada dead.
According to Khulna police super, two policemen received bullets in their legs during the 35-minute long gunfight. They are undergoing treatment at the Dumuria Health Complex.
The outlaws fired twenty shots while police retaliated and fired 11 rounds in self-defence, police super added.
Police recovered a shutter gun, three cartridges, a rifle bullet and five empty shells from the scene.
The deceased was wanted in several murder, kidnapping and dacoity cases, OC added.
Khulna BNP leader 'beaten to death'
A local BNP leader found dead early yesterday on a road of Doba village under Rupsha upazila of the district.
The deceased was identified as Arabinda Mandol, 45, general secretary of Ghatbhog union unit of BNP of the upazila.
Nilima Mandol, wife of Arabinda, alleged that police beat him to death after chasing him for about half a kilometre from his residence.
Subhash Chandra Biswas, officer-in-charge of Rupsha Police Station said, Arabinda died of cardiac arrest while fleeing his home to escape arrest.
Police said, a team of law enforcers led by Sub-Inspector Azad Rahman went to the house of Arabinda, an accused in a case filed in 2008, to arrest him early yesterday.
During arrest, Arabinda claimed that he was earlier released on bail in the case.
As police wanted to see the court order, he went inside the house to bring it to police.
Instead of producing the court order before police, Arabinda tried to flee through the back door of the house and had a cardiac arrest, police said, adding that he later died at Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Nilima admitted that her husband tried to evade arrest.
The deceased was identified as Arabinda Mandol, 45, general secretary of Ghatbhog union unit of BNP of the upazila.
Nilima Mandol, wife of Arabinda, alleged that police beat him to death after chasing him for about half a kilometre from his residence.
Subhash Chandra Biswas, officer-in-charge of Rupsha Police Station said, Arabinda died of cardiac arrest while fleeing his home to escape arrest.
Police said, a team of law enforcers led by Sub-Inspector Azad Rahman went to the house of Arabinda, an accused in a case filed in 2008, to arrest him early yesterday.
During arrest, Arabinda claimed that he was earlier released on bail in the case.
As police wanted to see the court order, he went inside the house to bring it to police.
Instead of producing the court order before police, Arabinda tried to flee through the back door of the house and had a cardiac arrest, police said, adding that he later died at Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Nilima admitted that her husband tried to evade arrest.
KCC suspends drive for fund crunch
Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has suspended its drive against encroachers of canals reportedly due to fund crisis although half of the city canals still remain under the grip of illegal occupiers.
Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque, who is now abroad, however showed no specific reason for discontinuing the drive that was launched on July 3 with a vow to free the canals from encroachers.
A new long-term project is being planned to resume the drive with the same aim, said acting Mayor Azmal Ahmed Tapan who was made convenor of the 16-member drive committee after the murder of his predecessor ward councillor Shahid Iqbal Bithar on July 11.
Tapan hasn't shown any reason for planning a new project by discontinuing the previous drive that was praised by city dwellers who are the worst victims of waterlogging problem.
Khaleque said that a move is underway to take up a new project to modernise the drainage system aiming at solving the waterlogging problem.
Sources said the KCC will ask for an allocation of fund from the government to implement the new project aiming at modernising the drainage system as well as freeing the canals in consultation with encroachers.
The mayor also did not clarify why he now needs consultation to free the remaining canals from the grip of encroachers. Of the total 50 city canals, the KCC evicted illegal grabbers from 25 canals until October 1 while the rest of the canals are still under the clutches of encroachers.
A reliable source of KCC said most of the remaining 25 city canals are under the occupation of ruling party men and some influential businessmen of Khulna city.
Denying this allegation, the mayor said that the drive had been suspended to make room for a long-term project for permanent solution of the city's waterlogging problem.
"No one would be spared as I am committed to free the canals from encroachers irrespective of political affiliation," Khaleque said.
He further said that at least Tk 20 crore would be needed to implement the new project. KCC has no such fund of its own to implement the new project.
The planned new long-term project includes re-excavation of canals after freeing those from illegal grabbers, interconnections of re-excavated canals with rivers and modernisation of drainage system, he said.
The mayor could not say when fund for implementation of the new project would be available for resuming the drive against encroachers of canals.
Discontinuation of the drive against encroachers has created sharp reaction among the city dwellers.
Human Resource Management Officer Sazzadur Rahim Pantho of NGO Christian Service Society (CSS) said that slum dwellers are worst victims of waterlogging in rainy season. Because the slum areas of the city do not have any drainage system, he said.
Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque, who is now abroad, however showed no specific reason for discontinuing the drive that was launched on July 3 with a vow to free the canals from encroachers.
A new long-term project is being planned to resume the drive with the same aim, said acting Mayor Azmal Ahmed Tapan who was made convenor of the 16-member drive committee after the murder of his predecessor ward councillor Shahid Iqbal Bithar on July 11.
Tapan hasn't shown any reason for planning a new project by discontinuing the previous drive that was praised by city dwellers who are the worst victims of waterlogging problem.
Khaleque said that a move is underway to take up a new project to modernise the drainage system aiming at solving the waterlogging problem.
Sources said the KCC will ask for an allocation of fund from the government to implement the new project aiming at modernising the drainage system as well as freeing the canals in consultation with encroachers.
The mayor also did not clarify why he now needs consultation to free the remaining canals from the grip of encroachers. Of the total 50 city canals, the KCC evicted illegal grabbers from 25 canals until October 1 while the rest of the canals are still under the clutches of encroachers.
A reliable source of KCC said most of the remaining 25 city canals are under the occupation of ruling party men and some influential businessmen of Khulna city.
Denying this allegation, the mayor said that the drive had been suspended to make room for a long-term project for permanent solution of the city's waterlogging problem.
"No one would be spared as I am committed to free the canals from encroachers irrespective of political affiliation," Khaleque said.
He further said that at least Tk 20 crore would be needed to implement the new project. KCC has no such fund of its own to implement the new project.
The planned new long-term project includes re-excavation of canals after freeing those from illegal grabbers, interconnections of re-excavated canals with rivers and modernisation of drainage system, he said.
The mayor could not say when fund for implementation of the new project would be available for resuming the drive against encroachers of canals.
Discontinuation of the drive against encroachers has created sharp reaction among the city dwellers.
Human Resource Management Officer Sazzadur Rahim Pantho of NGO Christian Service Society (CSS) said that slum dwellers are worst victims of waterlogging in rainy season. Because the slum areas of the city do not have any drainage system, he said.
Dhaka to propose rail link, second submarine cable
Building Agartala-Akhaura railway line and a submarine cable linking Khulna and Chennai are among the priority projects to be placed with the Indian government during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming India visit.
The PM, who is going to visit India next month, directed the ministries concerned yesterday to finalise strategy papers on the bilateral and regional development projects in time for her tour.
She gave the directive while chairing the second meeting of the regional and sub-regional cooperation committee at the Prime Minister's Office, Deputy Press Secretary to the PM Nazrul Islam told newsmen.
He said the premier asked for finalising, "on priority basis," the paper documents of the projects on Agartala-Akhaura rail link, establishment of open alternative submarine cable link between Khulna and Chennai, construction of rail-cum-road bridge over Karnaphuli river at Kalurghat, support for post-harvest technology and agro-processing, and value addition to fruits and vegetables.
The meeting discussed in detail the probable agenda from Bangladesh side to be discussed during the India tour.
The agenda include regional and bilateral cooperation on maritime boundary issues, trade and economy, road and rail link, power sector, media and telecommunications, environment and climate change, agriculture, education and use of common rivers.
"Prepare outlines on the agenda," Hasina said in her instructions.
The meeting also discussed the much-expected tariff-free access of Bangladeshi products to the Indian market as a measure to strike a balance in the bilateral trade.
In this regard, the PM asked the ministries to "specifically finalise" the list of products for placing with the Indian authorities seeking the facility of tariff-free market access.
On maritime boundary issues, the premier said, "All the issues can be settled through bilateral discussion with India and Myanmar."
She held the view that connectivity among the South Asian countries in all sectors, including trade and economy, needs to be enhanced further for expediting socioeconomic development of the people in this region.
In this context, Hasina said, "India has a great role to play in expediting the regional development activities."
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain, Advisers to the PM HT Imam, Dr Mashiur Rahman and Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, high officials of the PMO and the secretaries concerned were present at the meeting.
The PM, who is going to visit India next month, directed the ministries concerned yesterday to finalise strategy papers on the bilateral and regional development projects in time for her tour.
She gave the directive while chairing the second meeting of the regional and sub-regional cooperation committee at the Prime Minister's Office, Deputy Press Secretary to the PM Nazrul Islam told newsmen.
He said the premier asked for finalising, "on priority basis," the paper documents of the projects on Agartala-Akhaura rail link, establishment of open alternative submarine cable link between Khulna and Chennai, construction of rail-cum-road bridge over Karnaphuli river at Kalurghat, support for post-harvest technology and agro-processing, and value addition to fruits and vegetables.
The meeting discussed in detail the probable agenda from Bangladesh side to be discussed during the India tour.
The agenda include regional and bilateral cooperation on maritime boundary issues, trade and economy, road and rail link, power sector, media and telecommunications, environment and climate change, agriculture, education and use of common rivers.
"Prepare outlines on the agenda," Hasina said in her instructions.
The meeting also discussed the much-expected tariff-free access of Bangladeshi products to the Indian market as a measure to strike a balance in the bilateral trade.
In this regard, the PM asked the ministries to "specifically finalise" the list of products for placing with the Indian authorities seeking the facility of tariff-free market access.
On maritime boundary issues, the premier said, "All the issues can be settled through bilateral discussion with India and Myanmar."
She held the view that connectivity among the South Asian countries in all sectors, including trade and economy, needs to be enhanced further for expediting socioeconomic development of the people in this region.
In this context, Hasina said, "India has a great role to play in expediting the regional development activities."
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain, Advisers to the PM HT Imam, Dr Mashiur Rahman and Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, high officials of the PMO and the secretaries concerned were present at the meeting.
KMC closed after BCL factions clash
Khulna Medical College (KMC) was closed for an indefinite period following a clash between two rival factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) yesterday.
All residing students in two halls were asked to vacate dormitories by 6:00pm.
Principal of the college KP Sarker was kept confined in his office by a group of BCL activists demanding withdrawal of the closure. But he did not bow down to their demand till filing this report late in the evening.
Four platoons of riot police were deployed on and around the campus from 5:00pm.
Local sources said the clash ensued following a function organised to accord reception to newly elected office bearers of Khulna unit of Bangladesh Medical Association.
Activists of the rival factions chased and hurled brickbats and chairs against each other during the clash that continued for two hours from 1:00pm creating a pandemonium at the venue.
Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Helaluddin Badri said he would sit with the KMC authorities and students to calm the situation down.
All residing students in two halls were asked to vacate dormitories by 6:00pm.
Principal of the college KP Sarker was kept confined in his office by a group of BCL activists demanding withdrawal of the closure. But he did not bow down to their demand till filing this report late in the evening.
Four platoons of riot police were deployed on and around the campus from 5:00pm.
Local sources said the clash ensued following a function organised to accord reception to newly elected office bearers of Khulna unit of Bangladesh Medical Association.
Activists of the rival factions chased and hurled brickbats and chairs against each other during the clash that continued for two hours from 1:00pm creating a pandemonium at the venue.
Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Helaluddin Badri said he would sit with the KMC authorities and students to calm the situation down.
Body of shrimp trader found
Police recovered the beheaded body of a shrimp trader at a shrimp enclosure at Shitarampur village under Dumuria upazila of Khulna district yesterday morning. The victim was identified as Ashraf Ali Morol, 40. Police said He had been missing from his house since the night of November 28. Ashraf's wife Jasmin Nahar, member of Gutudia Union Parishad under the upazila, told police that outlaws of New Biplobi Communist Party demanded Tk 10 lakh from him recently. She filed a case with Dumuria Police Station at 3:00pm yesterday.
Wards of Aila victims want exemption of exam fees
Over 27 hundred candidates of next SSC, HSC and equivalent examinations from 51 high schools, colleges and madrasas in Aila-hit Koira upazila of Khulna district have appealed to the government for exemption of their board fees.
Badly damaged by cyclonic storm Aila and tidal surges on May 25, these 51 educational institutions are yet to get back normal academic atmosphere as most of them go under water when the river swells, speakers said at a rally at Koira upaizla sadar on Wednesday afternoon.
A large number of students and their guardians attended the rally.
It is not possible to manage examination fees of the candidates of next SSC, HSC and equivalent examinations as they are yet to recover from serious financial crisis after losing homesteads and earning sources due to the Aila, said several guardians at the rally.
After the rally, the students and guardians submitted copies of a memorandum to the lawmaker from Khulna-6 constituency, the upazila chairman and the UNO for sending it to the prime minister.
In the memorandum they made a fervent appeal to consider the matter from humanitarian grounds.
According to Upazila Education Office, 1504 candidates will sit for the SSC examinations from 26 high schools, 319 for the HSC examinations from two colleges and 910 from 23 madrasas in Koira upazila that was worst hit by the Aila.
About 40,000 candidates of next SSC, HSC and equivalent examinations from other high schools, colleges and madrasas of Aila-hit Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts are also finding it hard to manage the board and tuition fees, sources said.
According to an official notification issued by Jessore Education Board on last September 11, candidates for the SSC examinations in 2010 are to fill in their forms paying all prescribed fees by December 31 this year.
Candidates under science, humanities and business studies groups of government high schools are to pay Tk 1000 to Tk 1100 as board fees.
Students of non-government high schools have to pay higher amounts as arrear tuition fees of the schools will be added.
When contacted, Md Amirul Alam Khan, controller of examinations of Jessore Board, said the notification issued on September 11 remains effective as the board authorities did not yet get any instruction from the education ministry regarding exemption of examination fees for candidates in Aila-hit districts.
Badly damaged by cyclonic storm Aila and tidal surges on May 25, these 51 educational institutions are yet to get back normal academic atmosphere as most of them go under water when the river swells, speakers said at a rally at Koira upaizla sadar on Wednesday afternoon.
A large number of students and their guardians attended the rally.
It is not possible to manage examination fees of the candidates of next SSC, HSC and equivalent examinations as they are yet to recover from serious financial crisis after losing homesteads and earning sources due to the Aila, said several guardians at the rally.
After the rally, the students and guardians submitted copies of a memorandum to the lawmaker from Khulna-6 constituency, the upazila chairman and the UNO for sending it to the prime minister.
In the memorandum they made a fervent appeal to consider the matter from humanitarian grounds.
According to Upazila Education Office, 1504 candidates will sit for the SSC examinations from 26 high schools, 319 for the HSC examinations from two colleges and 910 from 23 madrasas in Koira upazila that was worst hit by the Aila.
About 40,000 candidates of next SSC, HSC and equivalent examinations from other high schools, colleges and madrasas of Aila-hit Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts are also finding it hard to manage the board and tuition fees, sources said.
According to an official notification issued by Jessore Education Board on last September 11, candidates for the SSC examinations in 2010 are to fill in their forms paying all prescribed fees by December 31 this year.
Candidates under science, humanities and business studies groups of government high schools are to pay Tk 1000 to Tk 1100 as board fees.
Students of non-government high schools have to pay higher amounts as arrear tuition fees of the schools will be added.
When contacted, Md Amirul Alam Khan, controller of examinations of Jessore Board, said the notification issued on September 11 remains effective as the board authorities did not yet get any instruction from the education ministry regarding exemption of examination fees for candidates in Aila-hit districts.
Passengers suffer as students block road
The students of Gopalganj Government Bangabandhu University College yesterday put up blockade on Dhaka-Khulna highway demanding permission for registration of the 'additional' students of honours first year.
Taking position on Dhaka-Khulna highway in front of Gopalganj Police Lines at around 12:30pm, they chanted different slogans.
As the blockade continued for about one and a half hours, a large number of vehicles got stranded on both sides of the important highway.
Eighty students were admitted in addition to the usual capacity of the college in 2008-09 academic session upon verbal assurance by the dean of National University, Al Hussain Mamun, general secretary of the college students union, said.
But academic life of those students has become uncertain as the university authorities are now dilly-dallying about their registration, he said.
The students union has announced transport strike from morning to 2:00pm and closure of all business firms in the district town today (Wednesday).
Taking position on Dhaka-Khulna highway in front of Gopalganj Police Lines at around 12:30pm, they chanted different slogans.
As the blockade continued for about one and a half hours, a large number of vehicles got stranded on both sides of the important highway.
Eighty students were admitted in addition to the usual capacity of the college in 2008-09 academic session upon verbal assurance by the dean of National University, Al Hussain Mamun, general secretary of the college students union, said.
But academic life of those students has become uncertain as the university authorities are now dilly-dallying about their registration, he said.
The students union has announced transport strike from morning to 2:00pm and closure of all business firms in the district town today (Wednesday).
Arms recovered from car seized 2 months ago
Police yesterday recovered two revolvers, 18 bullets and two bottles of phensidyl from a private car seized on October 8 this year in the city.
OC Monirul Gias of Khulna Sadar Police Station said they seized the firearms and ammunition following a tip at 2:30pm. These were found hidden underneath the driver's seat, he added.
The private car has been lying in an open space of Khulna Sadar Police compound since it was seized.
Police stopped the car near Moilapota police box in the city at 11:30pm on October 8 and found 15 bottles of phensidyl in it. They later seized the car, which belongs to one Abu Bakar Siddique of East Jurain in the capital, and took it to Sadar Police Station.
Jahangir Alam, who was driving the car from Dhaka to Khulna, was arrested and sent to Jail by a court on October 9. He came out of Khulna District Jail on bail on October 15, police said.
ASI monir Ahmed field a case with Sadar Police Station after the car was seized with phensidyl. Four people, including Jahangir Alam, were named as accused in the case. Three other accused Shamim, Rony and Shabu, who were named by Jahangir as drug traffickers, are yet to be arrested.
OC Monirul Gias of Khulna Sadar Police Station said they seized the firearms and ammunition following a tip at 2:30pm. These were found hidden underneath the driver's seat, he added.
The private car has been lying in an open space of Khulna Sadar Police compound since it was seized.
Police stopped the car near Moilapota police box in the city at 11:30pm on October 8 and found 15 bottles of phensidyl in it. They later seized the car, which belongs to one Abu Bakar Siddique of East Jurain in the capital, and took it to Sadar Police Station.
Jahangir Alam, who was driving the car from Dhaka to Khulna, was arrested and sent to Jail by a court on October 9. He came out of Khulna District Jail on bail on October 15, police said.
ASI monir Ahmed field a case with Sadar Police Station after the car was seized with phensidyl. Four people, including Jahangir Alam, were named as accused in the case. Three other accused Shamim, Rony and Shabu, who were named by Jahangir as drug traffickers, are yet to be arrested.
18 baby crocodiles go missing
Eighteen of the 130 nestling baby crocodiles at Karamjal Crocodile Breeding Centre, the first of its kind in the country, in Khulna's Dakop upazila went missing last Sunday. Photo: Julfikar Ali Manik
Eighteen baby crocodiles went missing on Sunday from Karamjal Crocodile Breeding Centre, which had been launched in 2000 in efforts to save the Sunderbans' declining crocodile population, in Dakop upazila of Khulna district.
The crocodiles, under the age of one year, were stolen from the centre with the advantage of the negligence of persons concerned, Divisional Forest Officer of east wing of Sundarban Forest Division Mihir Kumar suspected.
Deputy Ranger Abdur Rob of the east wing of Sundarban Forest Division, who is in charge of the breeding centre, said, after being aware of the crocodiles missing, the staff of the centre carried out a hectic search but to no avail.
The search for the baby crocodiles, however, was being continued, the DFO said.
Abdur Rob filed a general diary Monday night in this connection with Dakop Police Station.
In the GD, Abdur Rob stated that around 3:30pm on Sunday while changing water of the cages, where crocodiles are bred, he found 18 of those in a cage missing.
After its emergence in 2000, the centre had bred a total of 128 baby crocodiles, including the 18 missing ones, in eight cages, the DFO said.
Seven staff including the Deputy Ranger of Forest Department were given charge to take care of the centre.
Assistant Conservator of Forests of the east wing Golam Quddus Bhuiyan has been asked to conduct a probe into the matter and submit a report within seven days, the DFO told reporters.
If anyone among the staffs of the centre is found guilty of negligence, the person would not be spared and departmental action would be taken against him, said the DFO.
This is the first ever crocodile breeding centre set up in Bangladesh with an initiative to save crocodiles from extinction and gradually Karamjal has become a tourist attraction due to its crocodile breeding centre.
Out of 26 species of crocodiles, only three varieties grace our waterways. Of the three, the variety of fresh water or sweet water crocodiles has become extinct. The remaining two varieties--one is known as Gharial and another as Marsh Crocodile or Indian Mugger--are existing. The Sundarbans has only salt-water crocodiles, which are even on the verge of extinction.
Abdur Rob, who studied about crocodiles in Australia, told a visiting Daily Star correspondent earlier this year that according to a census in 1985, Bangladesh had 150 to 200 salt-water crocodiles in the Sundarbans. Now the number has gone down to below one hundred though the waterways of the forest can house seven thousand crocodiles.
Karamjal Crocodile Breeding Centre is not operating on a commercial basis and yet to start releasing salt-water crocodiles into their natural habitat.
"We will release the baby crocodiles in their natural habitat when they grow at least two metres in length and hopefully by one or two years, we will be releasing them," Rob said.
Romeo and Juliet, the most famous two male and female adult crocodiles at Karamjal named by Rob, bred around 128 baby crocodiles by now.
When Rob calls Romeo and Juliet, they rush to him from wherever they are. Romeo and Juliet are the only adult salt-water male and female crocodiles at Karamjal.
Three missing crocs found in canal
Three out of 18 missing baby crocodiles were found floating alive early yesterday morning in a canal adjacent to Karamjal Crocodile Breeding Centre (KCBC) in Dakop upazila of Khulna district.
Efforts are being made to net the three crocodiles though it is a very difficult job, said Mihir Kumar, divisional forest officer in-charge of the east wing of Sundarbans Forest Division (SFD).
The crocodiles went missing on Sunday from the artificial breeding centre at Karamjal. Missing of those from one of the eight cages at the centre was detected on Monday, and a search was launched.
The breeding centre was set up in 2000 in an effort to save the Sundarbans' declining crocodile population.
Deputy Ranger Abdur Rob, who is in-charge of the centre, filed a general diary with Dakop Police Station.
Search for the 15 other baby crocodiles will continue, said Mihir Kumar. He smelt a conspiracy behind releasing them into the canal.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Golam Quddus Bhuiyan, who has been asked to probe the matter, is likely to submit his report on November 30.
Contacted, Quddus said neglect of duty by all the seven staff members at the centre is responsible for missing or theft of the crocodiles.
Efforts are being made to net the three crocodiles though it is a very difficult job, said Mihir Kumar, divisional forest officer in-charge of the east wing of Sundarbans Forest Division (SFD).
The crocodiles went missing on Sunday from the artificial breeding centre at Karamjal. Missing of those from one of the eight cages at the centre was detected on Monday, and a search was launched.
The breeding centre was set up in 2000 in an effort to save the Sundarbans' declining crocodile population.
Deputy Ranger Abdur Rob, who is in-charge of the centre, filed a general diary with Dakop Police Station.
Search for the 15 other baby crocodiles will continue, said Mihir Kumar. He smelt a conspiracy behind releasing them into the canal.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Golam Quddus Bhuiyan, who has been asked to probe the matter, is likely to submit his report on November 30.
Contacted, Quddus said neglect of duty by all the seven staff members at the centre is responsible for missing or theft of the crocodiles.
1 more missing croc found in Khulna
One more baby crocodile out of 18 that went missing on November 22 was found in a canal passing by Karamjol Crocodile Breeding Centre at Dakop upazila of Khulna district.
With this, a total of four crocodiles were recovered from the canal after they went missing.
The staff of the centre caught the crocodiles and kept back in a cage, said Divisional Forest Officer Mihir Kumar of east wing of Sundarban Forest Division.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Golam Quddus Bhuiyan was asked to conduct a probe into the incident and submit a report on his findings but he failed to submit the report on Monday. The ACF needs a few more days to unravel the mysteries of the incident, the DFO said.
However, the DFO did not mention the reason for the delay.
Earlier, three crocodiles were found on November 26 in the canal.
The DFO alleged all 18 crocodiles were released in the canal taking advantage of negligence of the staff in the breeding centre.
A section of forest guards said the centre remains unguarded most of the time of the day, as the presence of the stuff is very irregular.
With this, a total of four crocodiles were recovered from the canal after they went missing.
The staff of the centre caught the crocodiles and kept back in a cage, said Divisional Forest Officer Mihir Kumar of east wing of Sundarban Forest Division.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Golam Quddus Bhuiyan was asked to conduct a probe into the incident and submit a report on his findings but he failed to submit the report on Monday. The ACF needs a few more days to unravel the mysteries of the incident, the DFO said.
However, the DFO did not mention the reason for the delay.
Earlier, three crocodiles were found on November 26 in the canal.
The DFO alleged all 18 crocodiles were released in the canal taking advantage of negligence of the staff in the breeding centre.
A section of forest guards said the centre remains unguarded most of the time of the day, as the presence of the stuff is very irregular.
Flashback to Satkhira mutiny
Under Khulna sector, BDR mutiny took place on February 26 in two of the BDR battalions -- 7 Rifle Battalion also known as Nildumur Rifle Battalion and 41 Rifle Battalion also known as Satkhira Rifle Battalion.
Some 57 jawans of the two battalions are in jail for their alleged involvement in the mutiny. However, the total number of accused from the two battalions may rise if separate courts of enquiry find involvements of more border guards.
Of the 57 alleged mutineers in jail, 30 are from 7 Rifle Battalion while 27 from 41 Rifle Battalion.
Sources said 25 to 30 more border guards of the 7 Rifle Battalion are likely to come under the trial, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow [Monday], as their involvement was found by a court of enquiry.
The mutineers at Nildumur Rifle Battalion chased and opened fire at their commanding officer (CO) while he was trying to get to a safe place outside the barracks, said the sources.
The mutineers broke into the arsenal and looted weapons and ammunition. They later brought out a procession on BDR vehicles in favour of the Pilkhana mutiny, sources added.
In 41 Rifle Battalion, mutiny started in the morning of February 26. The mutineers broke into the arsenal and took control on arms and ammunition. Heavy firing took place while the mutineers ransacked the houses of the officers including those of the CO and the second-in-command.
The CO's family was not in Satkhira then but families of other officers, including the second-in-command and medical officer, were attacked. The rebellious border guards looted the officers' houses and shot numerous rounds of bullets inside the houses. The families with the help of some officers managed to escape safely.
Mutineers from seven BOPs (Border outposts) under this battalion came to Satkhira Battalion headquarters with heavy weapons while mutineers from other two BOPs came out in the open and barricaded the roads.
The situation of the battalion was totally out of control on February 26. Order was restored the next morning.
The 41 Rifle Battalion guards a stretch of 94-kilometre border in Satkhira.
Some 57 jawans of the two battalions are in jail for their alleged involvement in the mutiny. However, the total number of accused from the two battalions may rise if separate courts of enquiry find involvements of more border guards.
Of the 57 alleged mutineers in jail, 30 are from 7 Rifle Battalion while 27 from 41 Rifle Battalion.
Sources said 25 to 30 more border guards of the 7 Rifle Battalion are likely to come under the trial, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow [Monday], as their involvement was found by a court of enquiry.
The mutineers at Nildumur Rifle Battalion chased and opened fire at their commanding officer (CO) while he was trying to get to a safe place outside the barracks, said the sources.
The mutineers broke into the arsenal and looted weapons and ammunition. They later brought out a procession on BDR vehicles in favour of the Pilkhana mutiny, sources added.
In 41 Rifle Battalion, mutiny started in the morning of February 26. The mutineers broke into the arsenal and took control on arms and ammunition. Heavy firing took place while the mutineers ransacked the houses of the officers including those of the CO and the second-in-command.
The CO's family was not in Satkhira then but families of other officers, including the second-in-command and medical officer, were attacked. The rebellious border guards looted the officers' houses and shot numerous rounds of bullets inside the houses. The families with the help of some officers managed to escape safely.
Mutineers from seven BOPs (Border outposts) under this battalion came to Satkhira Battalion headquarters with heavy weapons while mutineers from other two BOPs came out in the open and barricaded the roads.
The situation of the battalion was totally out of control on February 26. Order was restored the next morning.
The 41 Rifle Battalion guards a stretch of 94-kilometre border in Satkhira.
Charge-framing in Satkhira Jan 18
A special court in Satkhira yesterday fixed January 18 next year for framing charges against 60 accused BDR personnel of 7 Rifles Battalion under Khulna sector in the mutiny case.
All the 60 accused BDR men were produced before the special court no-1 that was formed at Satkhira 41 Rifles Battalion (BDR) headquarters to hold the trial of BDR mutiny at Nildumur BDR battalion headquarters in Shyamnagar upazila on February 26.
The BDR has set up six special courts to try the BDR personnel with links to the February 25-26 mutiny at its headquarters in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country under the Bangladesh Rifles Order, 1972.
The court proceedings began at 10:10am yesterday and it went on for 55 minutes before being adjourned till January 18, 2010.
Prosecutor Lt Col Badrul Alam, also the commanding officer of 7 Rifles Battalion, read out the complaints yesterday against the 60 accused BDR personnel who were in the dock.
In his submission, the prosecutor told the court that the accused soldiers in collaboration with each other revolted at Nildumur battalion headquarters in support of the carnage at BDR headquarters. The accused soldiers looted heavy arms and ammunition by breaking the armoury of the battalion and kept those with them violating the discipline of the force, Lt Col Badrul Alam told the court.
The mutineers also issued threat to BDR officers and their family members, cut telephone lines and brought out procession supporting the Pilkhana incidents, he alleged.
The court considered the allegations against the accused as punishable offences, sources said.
The prosecutor also told the court of BDR Chief Maj Gen Mainul Islam, Lt Col Gazi Khalid Hossain and Maj Lutful Karim that he has sufficient information and evidence to prove the charges against the accused BDR persons in the case. The prosecution appealed the court to frame charges against the accused as soon as possible.
After the submission, the court ordered the prosecutor to take measures so that the accused can appoint lawyers to defend them during trial.
Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Advocate Khasruzzaman aided the court while Mosharraf Hossain Kajal and Sahidur Rahman were present as senior public prosecutors on behalf of the state.
At a press conference, Lt Col Badrul Alam later said that he would be able to frame charges against the 60 accused BDR men on January 18.
All the 60 accused BDR men were produced before the special court no-1 that was formed at Satkhira 41 Rifles Battalion (BDR) headquarters to hold the trial of BDR mutiny at Nildumur BDR battalion headquarters in Shyamnagar upazila on February 26.
The BDR has set up six special courts to try the BDR personnel with links to the February 25-26 mutiny at its headquarters in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country under the Bangladesh Rifles Order, 1972.
The court proceedings began at 10:10am yesterday and it went on for 55 minutes before being adjourned till January 18, 2010.
Prosecutor Lt Col Badrul Alam, also the commanding officer of 7 Rifles Battalion, read out the complaints yesterday against the 60 accused BDR personnel who were in the dock.
In his submission, the prosecutor told the court that the accused soldiers in collaboration with each other revolted at Nildumur battalion headquarters in support of the carnage at BDR headquarters. The accused soldiers looted heavy arms and ammunition by breaking the armoury of the battalion and kept those with them violating the discipline of the force, Lt Col Badrul Alam told the court.
The mutineers also issued threat to BDR officers and their family members, cut telephone lines and brought out procession supporting the Pilkhana incidents, he alleged.
The court considered the allegations against the accused as punishable offences, sources said.
The prosecutor also told the court of BDR Chief Maj Gen Mainul Islam, Lt Col Gazi Khalid Hossain and Maj Lutful Karim that he has sufficient information and evidence to prove the charges against the accused BDR persons in the case. The prosecution appealed the court to frame charges against the accused as soon as possible.
After the submission, the court ordered the prosecutor to take measures so that the accused can appoint lawyers to defend them during trial.
Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Advocate Khasruzzaman aided the court while Mosharraf Hossain Kajal and Sahidur Rahman were present as senior public prosecutors on behalf of the state.
At a press conference, Lt Col Badrul Alam later said that he would be able to frame charges against the 60 accused BDR men on January 18.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)