Cox’s Bazar
Over 2 kg Crystal Meth seized in Cox’s Bazar
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Monday seized 2.119 kg crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and 118 bottles of liquor in separate drives at Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar.
Tipped off, a team of BGB-2 challenged two smugglers coming from Myanmar at Keora near Domdomia BOP around 4am, said Commander of Teknaf Battalion-2 Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar.
Also read:Rohingya man held with 1.06kg crystal meth in Cox’s Bazar
Sensing danger, the smugglers left the drugs and fled the scene immediately.
Later, the BGB men seized 1.056 kg of crystal meth worth Tk 5.28 crore.
In another drive at Shah Porir Dwip, when a team of BGB-2 challenged 2-3 smugglers coming from Myanmar by a boat trough the Naf River around 3am the smugglers jumped into the river and managed to escape.
Later, the BGB men seized 1.063 kg crystal meth and 118 bottles of toxic liquor worth Tk 5.33 crore from the boat.
Also read:BGB recover drugs worth Tk 335 crore including yaba, crystal meth since January
However, the BGB men couldn’t arrest anyone during the drives.
Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar train service to open by June, 2023: Railways Minister
The train service from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar be opened in June next year, said Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan on Sunday.
“We have come a long way and hope all the work will be completed in this period,” said the minister at the signing ceremony of ‘Signaling and telecommunication system at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Railway Bridge’ at Railway House of the capital.
Meanwhile, he said the railways couldn’t get rid of the ticket black marketing. “That is why we have taken many steps. Now, the responsibility has been given to the new organisation (Shohoz.com). It's only been two-three months, we will have to wait and see how much we get from their service.”
"We have also taken steps to alleviate ticket black marketing," the minister said.
Project objectives
On April 3, 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of meter gauge railways from Dohazari-Ramu-Cox's Bazar and Ramu-Ghumdhum.
There will be nine stations along the 128-km rail route, located at Satkania, Lohagara, Chakaria, Dulahazara, Eidgaon, Ramu, Cox's Bazar Sadar, Ukhia and Ghumdhum. It will feature modern computer-based interlock signals and digital telecommunication systems.
Once complete, it will connect with the Trans-Asian Railway Corridor.
An overriding objective of the project is to bring tourist haven Cox's Bazar under the railway network, making it more accessible for tourists from abroad who may prefer to head there straight after landing in Dhaka, as well as encouraging local tourism by providing stressed out residents of the capital with a safe, comfortable, affordable and environmentally-friendly option for weekend breaks.
If this project is implemented, a safe, comfortable and affordable communication system will be developed for tourists and local people. There will also be significant cargo movement on the line. Fish, salt, paper raw materials, forest and agricultural products can all be easily transported at a convenient cost.
Also read: Dhaka-Bhanga train service through Padma Bridge to open by June, 2023: Railways Minister
HC orders disposal of ex-MP Bodi’s graft case in 1 yr
The High Court on Sunday ordered the lower court concerned to dispose of a graft case against former Cox’s Bazar MP Abdur Rahman Bodi in a year.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Judge Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo passed the order rejecting Bodi’s plea to stay the trial of the case.
Advocate Rafikul Islam Sohel appeared for the writ petition in the court, while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Besides, Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik and Assistant Attorney General Anna Khanam Kali represented the state.
On January 18, HC rejected an appeal of Abdur Rahman Bodi seeking the cancellation of indictment order in this case. Later, he sought the stay of the trial of the case, said Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan.
On December 17 in 2007, ACC Chattogram Region Deputy Director Abul Kalam Azad filed the case against Bodi on charges of concealing information of assets worth Tk 57,11,500 and acquiring wealth illegally worth Tk 79,37,797.
In 2017, the proceedings of the case started after a long delay.
On September 13, 2020, a Chattogram court ordered charge framing against him in the case rejecting his plea for exemption.
Also read: Ex-MP Bodi goes viral for beating two AL leaders
Two female tourists die in Cox’s Bazar
Two tourists, both women, have died in Cox’s Bazar in the past 24 hours, police said on Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Marfua Khanam, 23, and Laboni Aktar, 20, both residents of Dhaka.
Cox's Bazar additional SP Md Rafiqul Islam said that Marfua, who had checked into Hotel Royal Tulip with a man named Nasir Uddin, was rushed to Sadar Hospital after she complained of breathing problems on Wednesday afternoon.
She was declared dead on arrival by doctors at the hospital, he said.
Major Rafiqul Islam (retired), the security in-charge of the hotel, said that the two had identified themselves as husband and wife at the time of check-in in the morning.
ASP Rafiqul said the body was kept in the hospital morgue for an autopsy.
Read:Tourist dies after hot water shower at Cox's Bazar hotel
"Nasir was detained for questioning and he admitted to his affair with the woman. Legal action will be taken after we get a complaint from the woman's family," he added.
Meanwhile, Laboni died after undergoing treatment for four days at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
Laboni came to Cox's Bazar from Dhaka with her four friends and checked into Hotel Beach Holiday on May 11. On May 14, her friends rushed her to Sadar Hospital after she fell sick, said ASP Rafiqul.
Two of her friends, Kamrul Alam, 20, and Arif Rahman Nilu, 21, have been detained in connection with her death, he added.
Six to die for killing minor in Cox’s Bazar
A court in Cox’s Bazar has sentenced six people to death for abducting and killing a seven-year-old boy in 2011.
Cox’s Bazar district and sessions judge Md Ismail handed down the punishment on Wednesday after holding the six guilty of the crime. However, two other accused in the case have been acquitted "for lack of evidence".
Also read: SC commutes death sentence of a father over killing his minor son
The convicts are Sumon Ali, 26, son of Aftab Ali, Yeasin alias Raihan, 29, son of Shamsul Haque, Yeakub, 34, son of Aslam Mia, Ishak alias Kalu, 31, son of Atlongi Hossain, Saidul Hossain, 47, son of Abdur Rahim, and Nazrul Islam, 28, son of Nabi Hossain. Of them Saidul, Ishak and Nazrul were tried in absentia.
Those acquitted are Mohibulla, 45, son of Abdul Jalil, and Didar Mia, son of Zafar Ahmed.
According to the prosecution, Sumon, who worked for the boy's father -- Md Abdullah of Teknaf upazila -- had hatched the plot to abduct the child for ransom.
On September 6, 2011, the convicts picked up the boy -- Waliullah -- from near his house. But when the boy raised an alarm, the convicts slit his throat and dumped the body near his house.
On September 9, 2011, Waliullah’s father lodged a complaint against 4-5 people with Teknaf Police. The cops later registered a murder case.
On December 30, 2012, the investigating officer in the case submitted a chargesheet against five people. The case was later handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
On August 25, 2017, CID officers submitted a supplementary chargesheet against eight people.
Also read: Murder of wife: Bangladesh’s top court commutes sentence of husband
Cox’s Bazar abuzz with tourists after two years
Cox’s Bazar, the country's top tourist attraction, experienced an increased flow of tourists from different parts of the country during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, boosting business for the large section of the population of the coastal city engaged in the tourism sector.
Our correspondent found the beach area overcrowded with the presence of tourists for the first time since the Covid pandemic hit over two years ago.
Footfall of thousands of tourists gave the beach area a festive look. The hotel and motel owners were particularly happy with the presence of tourists.
Besides, the local administration took adequate measures to ensure security, and police, Ansar and lifeguards worked round the clock to provide it.
Laboni point and Sugandha point of Cox’s Bazar are the most attractive points for tourists where a number of people thronged to take a break from the monotonous routine of life.
Many people were seen roaming in the beach area on bikes.
Also Read: 140kg boal fish netted in Cox's Bazar
Abu Taleb Shah, General Manager of Hotel Cox’s Today, said “The businessmen involved in the tourism sector are happy with the presence of tourists after a two year long pause and 90% rooms of different hotels and motels are still booked after Eid holiday and it will remain till May 11.”
Selim Newaz, a hotel businessman, said they expected more tourists till May 10 if the weather remains favorable, which can help the tourism industry to boost further.
Abul Kashem, general secretary of Hotel Motel Guest House Samity, said “After Eid holiday we have seen that 70% rooms are still booked. Many people, who celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in their home village, are now coming here.”
Additional superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Police, Rezaul Karim, said a foolproof security has been taken to ensure security of the tourists and the authorities concerned also took steps to provide pure drinking water and medical services.
Almost no untoward incident was reported or took place, he said.
Executive Magistrate Murad Uddin, of the local administration tourist cell, said alongside district police, four magistrates, tourists’ police, lifeguard workers and beach workers are working round the clock to provide security to the tourists.
There are 500 hotels, motels and guest houses where 2 lakh people can easily be accommodated at any one time in Cox's Bazar.
Also Read: RAB rescues man from Cox's Bazar who went into hiding one year back
Drug peddler held with 1 lakh yaba pills in Cox’s Bazar
Members of Border Guard (BGB) detained a drug peddler with one lakh yaba pills worth Tk 3 crore from Ukhiya upazila in Cox’s Bazar early Sunday.
The detainee was identified as Nasir Uddin, 39, of the upazila.
According to a media release of BGB, a patrol team of BGB-34, tipped off, detained Nasir conducting a drive at his home in Koroibuniya of Ratnapalang UP around 2am.
The street value of the seized yaba pills is around Tk 3 crore, said the release.
The detainee was handed over to Ukhiya police station under a drugs case.
There are four more fugitives accused in the case, it added.
Two Rohingyas held with drugs worth Tk 6.40cr in Cox’s Bazar
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Thursday claimed to have detained two Rohingya refugees with drugs worth Tk 6.40 crore in Cox’s Bazar.
The detainees have been identified as Sirajul Isalm, 28, son of Abul Kashem, a resident of Mochni camp, and Syed Salam, 38, son of Faruk Ahmed of Jadimora camp in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
Also read:One more arrested over six-murder in Rohingya camp
Over a kg of crystal meth and some 40,000 pieces of Yaba have been seized from their possession, the BGB said in a release.
Tipped off, a team of BGB-2 conducted a drive at Jaliardwip along the Naf River and detained the two along with the drugs, said commanding officer of BGB-2, Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar.
Also read: Rohingya mason killed in Ukhia camp
The BGB also seized a boat, one cell phone and few fishing nets from their possession. "Legal steps will soon be taken against the detainees,” said Khalid.
Upto 50% of hotels, motels booked already for Eid holidays
Holidaymakers are set to visit Cox’s Bazar, the longest unbroken sea beach in the world, in droves during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday as 50 percent hotels and motels were booked ten days before the biggest religious festival.
Cox’s Bazar is the most attractive tourist spot in Bangladesh and Eid vacations come with the opportunity of taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The authorities concerned of many hotels and motels are passing a busy time preparing their respective establishments for tourists.
Also read: Markets, construction works on Dhaka-Ctg highway likely to mount woes of holidaymakers
3 held over gang rape of woman after abduction in Cox’s Bazar
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) detained three people including the prime accused on Saturday in a case filed over the rape of a woman after abduction in Cox’s Bazar.
The detainees were Firoz alias Mostak Dakat, Md Sharif alias Sharif Company and Nurul Islam from Islampur village in Eidgaon upazila in Cox’s Bazar, said Leiutenant Colonel Khayrul Islam Sarkar, commander of Rab-15 on Saturday.
The three accused were arrested in the early hours of Saturday from Napitkhali area in the upazila, he said.
READ: CMCH intern held in pornography case
Later one imported and nine locally made firearms were recovered from their den.
“They were wanted in several cases including of rape, looting, extortion and illegal forest grabbing. They will be handed over to Eidgaon police station after filing a case,” said the Rab-15Commander.
A case was filed at Cox’s Bazar sadar model police station after receiving a complaint from a woman about her rape by four people after abducting her from Cox’s Bazar court premises on March 14.