State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury today said the concerned surveyors of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will be brought under punishment if found any negligence against them over the launch accident that left five people dead at Sadarghat on Thursday last. The state minister told reporters while replying to a query on the first day after the holy Eid-el-Fitr and Pahela Baishakh vacation at his secretariat office here. On the afternoon of Eid-ul-Fitr, two launches were moored at pontoon number 11 of Dhaka's Sadarghat. Although there was not enough space between the moored launches, another launch recklessly tried to enter the pontoon through them. At this time, one of the ropes mooring the launch shattered and thrashed the five passengers waiting on the pontoon, who died on the spot. Khalid said step has been taken in every accident that took place in inland water areas. Different types of punishment were given to those responsible persons, he added. The state minist er said every person was in festive mood on the Eid day. But such type of accident on the Eid day faded the festive mood, he said. He said many responsible persons were fled after the incident, but the law enforcers arrested many of them. A case was lodged and a probe committee was formed over the incident, Khaled added. He said route permit of the launch has already been cancelled. About the Bangladesh-flagged vessel MV Abdullah which was released by Somali pirates, Khalid said the vessel is now en route to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
AL’s programme on historic Mujibnagar Day
The ruling Awami League (AL) has drawn up extensive programme on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day to be observed on Wednesday (April 17). The programmes include hoisting of national and party flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban, the party's central and its all offices including district offices at 6am and placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at Dhanmondi at 7am. Besides, the programmes at Mujibnagar include hoisting of national and party flags at 6 am, laying of wreaths at the memorial at 9:30 am and giving guard of honor at 9:45 am. Marking the day, a public rally will be organized at Sheikh Hasina Mancha at Mujibnagar around 10 am. Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Kazi Zafar Ullah will join the rally as the chief guest while AL Presidium Member and State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain Rimi, party's Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Organizing Secretaries SM Kamal Hossain and Advo cate Afzal Hossain will be present as the special guests. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque will attend the rally as the guest of honor. AL Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim will chair the rally while Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque will moderate the function. Lawmaker from Kishoreganj-1 Sayeda Zakia Noor Lipi, AL central working committee members Advocate Md Amirul Alam Milon, Parveen Jaman Kalpana, Advocate Gloria Sarkar Jharna, Nirmal Kumar Chattarjee, Meherpur district AL President Farhad Hossain and General Secretary MA Khaleque and Meherpur-2 lawmaker Abu Saleh Mohammad Nazmul Haque will also join the rally. Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader urged the people of all strata including the leaders and workers of the party and its associate and like-minded bodies to observe the day with due respect. April 17 is a memorable day in the national life of the Bangalee nation as the oath-taking ceremony of the country's firs t provisional government took place on the day in 1971. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
Fire at Kumargaon Power Plant in Sylhet under control
A fire that broke out at 9.15am today at Kumargaon Power Plant in Sylhet was brought under control around 10:30am. Being informed, Fire Service and Civil Defence units rushed to the spot and doused the fire, Chief Engineer of Electricity Development Board Sylhet Sales and Distribution Division Mohammad Abdul Qadir said. In this incident, the electricity supply has been temporarily stopped in some areas under the Polli Bidyut Board including Sylhet City, he said. Abdul Qadir said that sparking occurred due to high voltage wires in the power plant and the abandoned air filter dumped in the power plant caught fire around 9.15amg. As a result, the power supply has stopped in some sub-centers. Later, firefighters brought the fire under control. The power generation plant was saved from major damage due to quick control, he added Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha