Bangladesh
Human remains recovered from BM container depot site
Police on Wednesday recovered the remains of one individual from the shade of BM container depot in Sitakunda, one month after the devastating fire incident.
With the recovery of the skull and bones the death toll from the massive inferno rose to 51.
Read: Sitakunda depot fire: Writ petition seeks Tk 2 crore compensation for each deceased’s family
Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge of Sitakunda Police Station, said a skull and some charred bones of an individual were recovered during the cleaning work in the depot around 1:15 pm.
The recovered skull and bones were sent to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital morgue for DNA test.
Read: Human remains found at BM Container depot
Fifty were killed and over 200 injured in a fire and subsequent blasts at BM Container Depot at Sitakunda of Chattogram on June 4.
Ten firefighters died in the incident. It is said to be the ‘largest death figure’ the fire service has seen in a single incident.
Digital devices to be a key export earner for B'desh in future: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the government is working to make digital devices a major source of export earnings for the country in future.
“I think digital devices can be the most exportable items in the future. We’ll have to take different steps and work accordingly,” she said while addressing the 2nd meeting of the Board of Governors of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.
The premier joined the meeting, held at the Conference Room of ICT Division, through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban.
She said the government wants digital devices with the tag of ‘Made in Bangladesh’ to be exported throughout the world like the garment products.
Read: PM seeks people’s support to cut power subsidy amid hard times
She said the meeting of Digital Bangladesh Taskforce held in 2015 had given importance on production of digital products in a bid to diversify the export items, reducing the country’s dependency on the single export item.
Hasina said her government has given the highest importance to education and expansion of the latest technology in order to take the country forward.
“We’ve taken the decision of setting up hi-tech parks for the development of the digital economy,” she said, adding that the decision was taken as per suggestion of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her ICT affairs adviser.
She said the government is working to raise the export earnings from the ICT sector to US$ 5 billion and the employment to 30 lakhs in this sector by 2025, developing the skilled human resources through training. “I hope that we’ll be able to do so (to fulfill the two targets),” she said.
To fulfill the targets, the government is establishing ICT infrastructure and developing skilled manpower alongside creating scope to flourish the hidden talents of the young generation, said the PM.
Some 92 hi-tech parks, software technology parks, and IT Training and Incubation Centres are being set up across the country. Among these, the works of nine hi-tech parks have been completed, she said.
She also said 14 types of incentives including tax exemption and customs duty exemption are being provided to attract larger investment in the hi-tech parks.
Noting that Tk 570 crore has been invested in the hi-tech parks under private initiatives till 2021, she hoped that another Tk 8,000 crore would be invested by 2025.
The prime minister asked the Bangladesh High-tech Park Authority to focus on building Bangladesh as a modern and technology- based developed country by 2041.
Read: PM unveils country’s first business incubator aimed at building smart Bangladesh
She stressed the need for research on science and technology to pursue the stride of Bangladesh towards becoming a developed country.
Mentioning that many developed countries are now facing difficulties to generate electricity she said Bangladesh has to take austerity measures in using power.
“We’re paying special attention so that we can reduce the use of energy and keep our economy rolling by limiting the use of electricity,” said Hasina.
PM’s ICT Adviser Sajeed Wazed Joy, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak and PMO Senior Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the Ganobhaban end while Education Minister Dipu Moni, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Posts and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar and other board members were present at the ICT Division end.
PM seeks people’s support to cut power subsidy amid hard times
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday underlined the need for downsizing subsidies in the power sector and sought full cooperation from the people in this regard.
"I hope that people of the country will cooperate with us," she said stressing that the reduction in government subsidy is needed to face the uncertain situation created by the Russia-Ukraine war and the sanction on Russia imposed by the US and European countries.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating country’s first campus-based business incubator ‘Sheikh Kamal IT Business Incubator’, Sheikh Jamal Dormitory and Rosy Jamal Dormitory at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
She mentioned that in the power sector the government is providing some Tk 28,000 crore in subsidy while the amount is Tk 25,000 for LNG import.
Read: PM mulls area-based specific time power cuts to save fuel
She said the government has to resort to load-shedding and cut down on power production to ease the subsidy in this sector.
PM Hasina explained that for every cubic meter of LNG the government gives Tk 59.60 where the consumer level price is Tk 9.69 only.
"The price has been increased recently to Tk 11. But still there is huge subsidy there,” she said.
She mentioned that renewable energy power production cost Tk 12.84 per KW, where the government is charging Tk 5.08 only.
The cost of power production by furnace oil is Tk 17.41, while the selling price is Tk 5.08 only. For diesel, the production cost of per unit electricity is Tk 36.85 while the selling price is Tk 5.08 only.
The production cost of coal-based power is Tk 12.37 whereas the selling price is Tk 5.08 only.
"How long will we be able to provide such huge amount of subsidy? We have to provide food, medicare and home for the homeless people," she said.
The prime minister said that this year's budget has a government allocation of Tk 84000 crore as subsidy.
"If we do not reduce the subsidy from where the government will get money," she questioned.
She also urged all to practice austerity in consumption, especially in power along with increasing their respective savings.
"We have only one option, I have already directed to impose area- based load shedding and prepare a routine for that to inform the people earlier so that they can take preparation and suffer less."
Youth stabbed dead in Rajshahi
A young man was stabbed to death allegedly by his rival in Beldarpara Muktijoddha Sangsad area of the city on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Sohel Rana, son of Abdul Karim of Shiroil Colony area of the city. He was an employee of Rajshahi Railways department.
Read: BCL leader stabbed dead in Cox’s Bazar
Witnesses said a quarrel broke out between Sohel and Faruq over buying liquor at the house of drug trader Togor. Following the quarrel, Faruq stabbed Sohel with sharp weapons, leaving him seriously injured.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Faruq also sustained injuries but it was not clear how he got hurt during the incident, Mazharul Islam, officer-in-Charge (OC) of Boalia Police Station.
"We are investigating the incident,” the officer added.
Flood death toll stands at 110: DGHS
Although flood situation continues to improve in most places it claimed three more lives in Netrokona, Kurigram and Moulvibazar districts in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the total fatalities to 110.
All of them downed in floodwater, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read:Sylhet flood situation improves as rivers recede
The total deaths were recorded between May 17 to July 6, it said.
The fatalities occurred due to lightning strikes, diarrhea, skin diseases, snakebites, electrocution, landslides and drowning.
Of the deceased, forty people died in Mymensingh, 57 in Sylhet, 12 in Rangpur and one in Dhaka division, it said.
Besides, some 13,892 people have been affected by flood during the period, it added.
Among a total of 70 flood-hit upazilas, 33 are in Sylhet division, 16 in Rangpur division, 20 in Mymensingh division and one in Chattogram division.
Read: Flood: Netrokona fish farm owners suffer losses of Tk 11.57 cr
Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Kurigram are the worst-hit districts where 13, 11, 10 and 9 upazilas were affected by flood respectively.
A total of 1,944 flood shelters have been opened, while 2,051 medical teams are working to provide various health services to the flood-affected people.
Postponed SSC exams' schedule after distribution of textbooks in flood-hit areas: Dipu
The schedule of the postponed Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations will be announced two weeks after distribution of textbooks among the students in the flood-hit districts, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday.
There have been extensive damages due to the recent devastating flood and it was not possible to save the textbooks in the flood area, she told the reporters at the Secretariat.
“We need to ascertain how many books will be needed in these areas first. If necessary we will print textbooks.”
Once the distribution of books is completed, the students need a little time to prepare themselves for the exams she added.
Read: Floods in the northeast throw over 4.55 lakh students in Sylhet div into uncertainty
The SSC and its equivalent examinations, under all the education boards scheduled to begin on June 19, were postponed due to the flood situation in the country on June 17.
About the rapid surge of Covid-19, the minister said if they can vaccinate the students below 12, they will keep the educational institutions open. “At this moment, schools will not be closed. Decision will be taken seeing the situation.”
Specialized Hospital starts journey in Ukhiya
A new hospital has started its journey in Ukhiya of Cox's Bazar to strengthen specialized health services, improving the lives and wellbeing of people living in the area.
State Minister of Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman inaugurated the Specialized Hospital on Tuesday.
The hospital, which was constructed and equipped by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, will provide specialist treatment for lifesaving interventions and secondary care for patients living in the Ukhiya area, including Rohingya refugees.
Read: UNHCR Goodwill envoy Tahsan meets Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar
“This hospital is a milestone for Ukhiya. The facility offers medical treatment long sought for but until now not available in the area. The hospital has been set up by UNHCR and its partners, thanks to generous funding by the Government of Japan. We trust that the Ukhiya community will help take care of the facilities to ensure its future”, said Dr. Md. Enamur Rahman.
With timely specialist consultations, the Ukhiya Specialized Hospital will reduce the need for patients to travel to Cox’s Bazar or Chattogram for treatment and make services more accessible for people with limited financial resources.
It will provide outpatient surgery, dental care, eye care, orthopaedic and trauma care, physical rehabilitation, and palliative care.
These services will be supported by a laboratory, medical imaging, such as X-ray, ultrasound and echography, as well as new telemedicine services through virtual consultations by specialists.
The services are currently delivered by UNHCR partners Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Orbis International and Relief International, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
An MoU signed between UNHCR, MoDMR and MoH on 30 June states that, in three years, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will progressively take over responsibility for the management and resourcing of the facility.
”I pay tribute to the medical and administrative staff which has started working in the hospital. Serving both the local community and the Rohingya refugee population contributes to mutual understanding of each other’s needs, living conditions and well-being,” said Johannes Van Der Klaauw, UNHCR Representative.
Read: UNHCR, Liberation War Museum launches ‘We are Rohingya’ photo exhibition
The State Minister and UNHCR Representative were accompanied by Md Kamrul Hasan , sectetay, Prof. Dr. Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Additional Director General of Health Services, Shah Rezwan Hayat, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), Taskforce Commander Brigadier Azahar, Hiroyuki Yamaya, Minister for the Embassy of Japan, and Ita Schuette Head of UNHCR Cox’s Bazar.
“This new hospital will facilitate access to specialised care, same-day surgeries and other services scarcely available in Cox’s Bazar. I sincerely hope that this project will contribute to better health and living conditions for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar”, said Mr. Hiroyuki Yamaya, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh.
The Government of Japan contributed USD 1.7 million for the construction of in-patient facilities, installation of medical equipment, and procurement of medical items for the hospital.
For additional information please contact:
Regina De La Portilla, Communications Officer, [email protected]; +880 1 847 327 279
Kurigram: BSF hands over bodies of two minor siblings
India's Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday handed over to the Bangladesh authorities the bodies of two minor siblings, who went missing on Friday in the border area of Kurigram’s Phulbari upazila.
The deceased were identified as Parveen Khatun, 8, and Shakibul Hasan, 4. They were the children of Rahim Uddin of Poschim Shukati village in Nageshwari upazila.
Read: Cattle traders robbed of Tk 30 lakh in Meghna
The bodies were handed over around 8pm on Tuesday after Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) held a flag meeting with their Indian counterparts at Dharmapur border in Kashipur union.
On Friday, the two siblings went missing while crossing the Nilkumor river, after the BSF chased them as they were in a group trying to cross the border at Phulbari in Kurigram to sneak into Bangladesh illegally.
On Saturday morning, the BSF recovered the bodies and kept them in a morgue.
Over 7,200 cartons of foreign fags seized at Ctg airport
Customs officials on Wednesday claimed to have seized more than 7, 200 cartons of foreign cigarettes during a drive at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.
Tipped off, a team of Customs officials seized the cartons from the green channel of the airport on Tuesday night, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Customs, Salauddin Rizvi, said.
The market value of the seized cigarettes is Tk 1.10 crore, he said. "Process is on to take legal action. However, no one was arrested in this connection."
Also read: Man detained with 11 gold bars at Sylhet airport
Cattle traders robbed of Tk 30 lakh in Meghna
A group of cattle traders returning home by a ferry after selling their cattle and goats was robbed of Tk 30 lakh by armed men in the Meghna river off the coast of Barishal on Tuesday.
Faruk Hossain, sub-inspector of Kaliganj River Police, said Aziz Shikdar, a cattle trader, along with 10-15 others, hired the vessel to go to Laxmipur Mollarhat from Char Ekokria for selling 28 cattle and 50 goats ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Read: 7 injured in clash between rival BCL factions at Barishal University
While they were returning home after selling all the goats and 18 cattle, armed robbers got into the ferry in the Lalboya area around 6pm, thrashed them and decamped with the cash, the officer said.
"A probe is on," said SI Faruk.