Day: May 17, 2024

Members of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested the main arms supplier of the banned militant outfit 'Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya' in Gazipur, police said. The arrested was identified as Abdur Rahim. DMP Additional Police Commissioner (CTTC) Md Asaduzzaman disclosed this in a press conference at DMP's media center here today. A team of CTTC arrested him from Kaliakair in Gazipur on Wednesday, he said. Later, based on the information given by him, the law enforcers recovered a large amount of arms and explosives from two hidden drums in the forest located at Naikhongchhari in Bandarban district, he added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Three construction workers died after falling off a 10-storey under-construction building in city's Sabujbagh area today. The deceased were identified as Altafur Rahman, 40, Ontor, 25 and Mofizul Islam. Standing on a scaffold, they were working at the under construction building beside Mayakanon Jamiatul Masjid in the area around 10am, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sabujbagh Police Station Praloy Kumar Saha. Suddenly, they fell down breaking that makeshift shed, he said, adding that they were rushed to Mugda General Hospital with the help of the locals. Altafur and Ontor succumbed to their injuries at the hospital while Mofizul, who was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), died at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) around 2.30 pm, reported BSS Dhaka Medicinal College Hospital correspondent. The bodies will be handed over to the relatives after the autopsy. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdus Shahid, MP, has said India, China, Russia and Belarus are very much interested in importing mangoes produced in Rajshahi, including its vast Barind tract. He also said a Chinese team will see the Rajshahi's mangoes very soon and asked some of his officials to fix proper prices of mangoes after dealing with the team accurately. The minister revealed this while addressing a workshop titled "Water-efficient Futures: Scaling Agricultural Interventions in the Water-scares Barind Region" at Circuit House here today as the chief guest. With Additional Divisional Commissioner Imtiaz Hossain in the chair, the workshop was addressed, among others, by Programme Manager of World Bank Michael John Webster and Managing Director of the Coca-Cola Bangladesh Limited Ju-un Nahar Choudhury. Later, the agriculture minister visited a mango orchard under Ultra High Density Mango Planting (UHDMP) method and also shared views with farmers and others concerned on the occasion at Kumor pur village under Godagari Upazila in the district. On behalf of their Water Efficient Technologies to Barind Tract (IWET) project, DASCOH Foundation and Syngenta Foundation are promoting UHDMP method with financial support of the Coca-Cola Foundation and World Bank benefiting 10,000 farmers directly, while 50,000 others indirectly since 2018. Agriculture Minister Dr Abdus Shahid said mango production might decline this year. So, there is an apprehension of syndication centering the seasonal fruit. All concerned should remain alert in this regard so that the farmers can get their due price. "We don't allow any syndicate," he added. He urged the journalists to furnish media reports against the syndication so that they could be brought to book as early as possible. Agriculture Minister Abdus Shahid also visited a Boro paddy field being cultivated through the irrigation technology of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method at Bijoy Nagar village under the same upazila. The AWD has been reduc ing wastage of underground water coupled with boosting paddy yield making the marginalized farmers happy in the water-stressed Barind area. DASCOH Foundation has also been promoting the AWD method through its Water Management Project (WMP) supported by the Coca-Cola Foundation aimed at promoting the water-saving technologies among the underprivileged farmers. Earlier, the disadvantaged and other marginalized farmers were imparted training on how to get additional yield in less water through using the technology. Salient features of the WMP are to enhance agro-water efficiency, reduce ground-water extraction and increase farmers' income. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and its front organisations today observed the Homecoming Day of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the city and its adjacent areas in a befitting manner. Rajshahi city and district units of AL observed the day through elaborate programmes including placing of wreaths at Bangabandhu's mural, jubilation rally and holding of discussions and milad mahfil. Marking the day, Rajshahi University (RU) organized a discussion titled "Historic Homecoming of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh's Democracy" at its Senate Building here today. Pro-vice-chancellors Professor Sultan-Ul-Islam and Prof Humayun Kabir, Treasurer Professor Obayedur Rahman Pramanik and Registrar Professor Tariqul Hassan addressed the meeting, among others. Professor Sultan-Ul-Islam said the very existence of AL was survived after Sheikh Hasina's return to her beloved motherland on May 17, 1981. The nation fought against the autocratic ruler under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina who is still continui ng her struggle to uphold the country's democracy, he added. In his remarks, Prof Humayun Kabir said the historic return of Sheikh Hasina on this day 43 years back, factually removed darkness from the country after assassination of Bangabandhu and most of his family members on August 15, 1975. He said her return instantly re-inspired common people in reestablishing democracy to build 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Professor Kabir urged the party leaders and workers to further strengthen the hands of Sheikh Hasina and speed up the current pace of development for building a peaceful and developed 'Sonar Bangla'. Earlier, they placed floral wreaths on the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Hall. Meanwhile, Rajshahi city and district units of Bangabandhu Parishad and their front organizations placed floral wreaths at mural of Bangabandhu in the city in observance of the historic day. Different units of Bangladesh Chhat ra League, Awami Jubo League and other associate bodies of AL joined the programmes marking the day. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Presidium Member of Bangabandhu Parishad and former Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University Prof. Dr. Abdul Khalek today said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had organized the Awami League (AL) very well after returning home on May 17, 1981. Abdul Khalek said some leaders of AL thought that AL President Sheikh Hasina couldn't make the AL as a well organized party, but Sheikh Hasina had been able to give shape her party as well organized one and she has been running the country successfully. "The AL now a well organized party under the dynamic leadership Sheikh Hasina," he told a discussion of Bangabandhu Parishad marking the home coming day of Sheikh Hasina at Abdus Salam Hall of Jatiya Press Club here. Prof. Abdul Khalek also said anti-liberation forces wanted to turn Bangladesh into a new Pakistan after August 15, 1975 and they tried to destroy the spirit of great Liberation War history. AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had established spirit of great Liberation War's history after returning h ome and the country is moving forwarded under Sheikh Hasina, he added. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a great leader in the world, he said. Bangabandhu Parishad General Secretary Prof ABM Faroque moderated the event while Bangabandhu Parishad presidium member and Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman, Kushtia Islamic University Prof Dr. Mahbub Arefin, Bangabandhu Parishad Presidium member Prof Dr. Sadequl Arefin and former Prof Dr. Md. Anwarul Islam, among others, spoke at the meeting. Yeafesh Osman said with the home coming of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country had started moving on the right track. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

One dengue patient died from dengue disease and 12 were hospitalised in the last 24 hours till this morning, according to the daily statement of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the period, four dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while eight were admitted to different hospitals outside the capital, the statement added. This year, the total number of cases rose to 2,581 while 33 deaths from dengue disease were reported during the same period. In the past 24 hours, four dengue patients were discharged from different hospitals. Among the total cases, 2,413 patients have already been released, the DGHS statement added. Last year, the country recorded 1,705 dengue-related deaths and a total of 3,21,179 dengue cases. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

An elderly van driver was crushed under a truck in Binerpota Bazar area on the Satkhira-Khulna highway in Sadar upazila of the district today. The deceased was identified as Md Quddus Gazi, 71, hailed from Satkhira Sadar upazila. According to locals, the accident occurred when a truck ran over a van in the area this morning, leaving the van driver critically injured. Wounded Quddus Gazi was rushed to Satkhira Sadar Hospital where the duty doctor declared him dead. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sadar Thana Mohidul Islam confirmed. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The government has decided to appoint Major General Syed Tareq Hussain as the new Ambassador of Bangladesh to Kuwait, foreign ministry said here today. Just before being deputed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Major General Tareq was serving as Senior Directing Staff of National Defense College, a press release of the ministry said. During his distinguished military career, he has served in various staff, instructional and command appointments. His major assignments throughout the career include Commandant of Bangladesh Ordinance Factory, GOC of 19 Infantry Division and Commander of 44 and 72 Infantry Brigades. Major General Tareq had also the distinct honour of serving in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Angola and Côte d'Ivoire. Major General Tareq had obtained graduate degrees from some of the most prestigious military institutions across the globe namely Defence Services Command and Staff College in Mirpur, Bangladesh, Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, India and US Army War College in Pennsylvania. He also obtained three post-graduation degrees-- Masters in Defence Studies from National University of Bangladesh, Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University, India and Masters in Strategic Studies from US Army War College. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a drive arrested five drug peddlers, including its prime suspect, of a drug trading group from the city's Shampur area last night. The arrested are identified as prime suspect M Lipu, 50, Zintu Dali, 48, M Nazrul Islam, 42, M Akash, 31, and M Maidul Hasan, 28. All of them are hailed from Shampur area in the capital and Munshiganj district. During the drive, the elite force team also recovered 123 bottles of phensidyl from their possession. Acting on a tip-off, a smart contingent of the RAB-3 arrested the ring leader Lipu along with his four cohorts while conducting the drive in Shampur thana area around 10 pm on Thursday, said M Shamim Hossen, assistant police super and staff officer of the RAB-3. During the primary interrogation, the RAB found that Lipu was the main suspect of the drug peddling group who were involved with trading of contraband drugs like phensidyl in different areas including the capital after procuring those from the border areas o f Cumilla and Ukhiya of Cox's Bazar districts for long. Necessary legal actions have been taken against them, the RAB official added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha