Munshiganj, Jan 17 (UNB) – The search for the 20 workers, who went missing after a soil-laden trawler capsized in the Meghna river, and the sunken trawler resumed on Friday for the 3rd day. 

Members of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Fire Service, River Police and Bangladesh Coast Guard are trying to locate the trawler with the help of side-scan sonar system.

The trawler, carrying 34 workers from Cumilla, sank in the river at Charjhapta in Sadar upazila around 3am on Tuesday after it collided with an oil-laden tanker while heading towards Fatulla in Narayanganj.

Although 14 workers managed to swim ashore, the rest went missing. All the workers hail from Pabna and Sirajganj districts.

Although the rescue teams found the image of a trawler-like metal object in the riverbed in the solar, it was not sure whether it was the sunken trawler, said BIWTA Chairman Commodore Mozammel Haque from the spot.

Meanwhile, the air of the riverbank became heavier with the wails of the relatives of the missing workers who were desperately looking for their loved ones.

The relatives thronged the riverbank for news on the fate of the trawler capsize victims.

A nine-member probe body headed by Additional District magistrate Mobassherul Islam was formed to investigate the capsize incident.

Satkhira, Jan 18 (UNB) - The Forest Department seized 25 kgs of venison from Terkathikhal area in the Sundarbans under Burigoalini Forest Station in Shyamnagar upazila on Thursday night.

On information, forest guards conducted a drive in the around 8pm and seized the venison, said Burigoalini Forest Station official KM Kabir Uddin.

However, the poachers could not be arrested from the spot, he added.

Dhaka, Jan 18 (UNB) – Bangladesh has emphasized Hydropower import from Nepal establishing connectivity and increasing economic and trade relations between the two countries.

The issue came up for discussion when outgoing Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh Dr Chop Lal Bhushal paid a farewell call on Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

Referring to the priorities outlined by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Foreign Minister expressed his intention to solidify Bangladesh’s relations with its neighbours including Nepal.

The outgoing Ambassador thanked the Bangladesh government for the support he received during his tenure.

The Ambassador appreciated the tremendous growth and progress made by Bangladesh during the last ten years under the stable political environment and able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Foreign Minister wished the Ambassador Success, good health and prosperity in future.

Thakurgaon, Jan 18 (UNB) – A Bangladeshi youth was shot dead by members of Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) inside Indian territory along Dharmagarh border in Ranishankail upazila early Friday.

The deceased was identified as Jahangir Alam Raju ,21, son of Badsha Mia, a resident of Shahanabad village in the upazila.

Locals said BSF members of Sripur camp opened fire on a group of Bangladeshi nationals, including Jahangir, around 4 am while they were standing near border pillar no. 374/2.

Jahangir died on the spot while the others managed to flee.

Lt Col Tuhin Mohammad Masud, commander of BGB Thakurgaon-50 Battalion, said they have learned about the firing. “We are trying to communicate with BSF,” he said.
 

Dhaka, Jan 18 (UNB)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed deep shock at the death of former president of Bangladesh Mahila Awami League, former MP and freedom fighter Ashrafunnesa Mosharraf.

In a condolence message, the Prime Minister prayed for salvation of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.