Sylhet
100% hopeful about victory, says Sylhet's AL-backed Mayor Candidate Anwaruzzaman
Expressing satisfaction over the situation of the Sylhet city polls, Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Anwaruzzaman said he is "100% hopeful" about victory.
The Sylhet city residents will ensure the victory of ‘boat’ by a huge margin of votes, he said while talking to reporters after casting his vote at Pathantula Shahjalal Jameya Islamia Kamil Madrasa polling station.
He also urged people to cast their votes for ‘boat’.
City corporation polls: Voting underway in Rajshahi, Sylhet
“If I do not win in the election, I will congratulate the person who will win, and go to his home with flowers,” he said.
He also visited other polling stations in Pathantula.
Voting in the election to Sylhet city corporation is underway peacefully.
Election Commission monitoring Rajshahi, Sylhet city polls through CCTV cameras
Voting started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.
Election Commission monitoring Rajshahi, Sylhet city polls through CCTV cameras
The Election Commission (EC) is observing the Sylhet and Rajshahi city corporation elections today (June 21, 2023) from the EC auditorium in Dhaka.
A temporary control room has been set up to monitor the elections in the two cities.
Election Commissioners Brigadier General Md Ahsan Habib Khan, Md. Alamgir and Rasheda Sultana have been observing the overall situation since 6 am this morning.
Ensure next general election becomes free and fair: President Shahabuddin urges EC
They are monitoring the polls situation through 23 digital display boards, and 368 CCTV cameras in 2,520 voting rooms.
Voting in 345 polling centers is being monitored through the display boards with autorotation after every 10 seconds.
No untoward incident has been reported from the polling stations till the filing of this report at 10 am.
Voting in the elections to Rajshahi and Sylhet city corporations is underway today.
Voting started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.
Sylhet City Corporation election: 132 out of 190 centers marked as risky
In Sylhet, a total of 4,86,605 voters will exercise their franchise in the polls while 3,51,982 people including 30,157 new voters are scheduled to exercise their franchise in the Rajshahi city polls.
Eight mayoral candidates, including Awami League-backed Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, are contesting the polls in Sylhet while four mayoral contenders, including Awami League-backed AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, are contesting in Rajshahi.
City corporation polls: Voting underway in Rajshahi, Sylhet
City corporation polls: Voting underway in Rajshahi, Sylhet
Voting in the elections to Rajshahi and Sylhet city corporations is underway today (June 21, 2023).
Voting started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.
People were seen standing in long queues to cast their votes in a festive atmosphere since morning in both cities.
Eight mayoral candidates, including Awami League-backed Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, are contesting the polls in Sylhet while four mayoral contenders, including Awami League-backed AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, are contesting in Rajshahi.
Security in Sylhet
At least 2600 law enforcers have been deployed for the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) election to ensure foolproof security.
Gazipur City Corporation election: Voting ends with no reports of violence
Besides, 14 judicial magistrates and 42 executive magistrates in 42 wards are perform their duties to take instant action in case of violence,
Forty-two mobile teams have been deployed in each general ward, with 24 striking teams in three general wards each, and six reserve striking teams at each thana. Alongside, RAB team, consisting of 22 members, and one platoon of BGB were set to patrol the wards.
Besides, 272 candidates are contesting for 42 general councillor posts, and 87 are contesting for 14 reserved female seats.
Khulna, Barishal city polls: Voting begins amid much enthusiasm, long queues of voters
This year, a total of 4,86,605 voters will exercise their franchise at the polls.
There are 190 polling stations and 1,364 polling booths. Besides, 132 centres out of 190 are deemed "vulnerable".
The movement of motorbikes remains off the road from June 19 midnight until June 22 midnight. Movement of trucks, buses, microbuses, private cars and easy-bikes remains off from June 20 midnight until June 21 midnight for the Sylhet city election.
Security in Rajshahi
The local administration has taken five-tier security to ensure foolproof security.
Alongside police, RAB, BGB and Ansar members are performing their duties to ensure a free and fair election for the people of Rajshahi, said Rajshhai Metropolitan Police Commissioner Anisur Rahman on Tuesday (June 20, 2023).
Read more: Election Commission monitoring Rajshahi, Sylhet city polls through CCTV cameras
Around 250 members of RAB and 10 platoons of BGB are patrolling in the city to check any kind of untoward incident.
Apart from it, 3,514 police members and 935 Ansar members are also on duty.
Returning officer Delwar Hossain, said there are 155 polling stations in 30 wards of the city. Of these, 148 are declared “vulnerable”.
Besides, 3,614 election officers, 30 executive magistrates and ten judicial magistrates are on the field to ensure a peaceful environment during the election.
A total of 1,560 close circuit cameras have been installed.
A total of 3,51,982 people including 30,157 new voters are scheduled to exercise their franchise in the Rajshahi city polls.
Peaceful voting underway; Law and order situation good: Zayeda
Short-term flood likely in Sylhet, Sunamganj as rivers keep swelling
A short-term flood may hit the low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts as major rivers in the region may swell further due to heavy rainfall in the North-Eastern region and adjoining upstream, said Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Monday.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and The Ganges-Padma rivers are maintaining a trend of rising water level at different places, which may continue in next 72 hours, it said.
Due to heavy rainfall in the North-Eastern region and adjoining upstream, all major rivers of this region are rising rapidly.
Also Read: River erosion washes away road in Sunamganj; thousands suffer
“According to the weather forecasting agency, there is a possibility of heavy to very-heavy rainfall in the North-Eastern region and adjoining upstream region of the country in the next 24 hours. Due to heavy rainfall forecast in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar basin and adjoining upstream region in the next 24 hours, these rivers may swell rapidly at times,” said the morning bulletin of FFWC.
As a result, the major rivers of this region including Surma, Kushiyara, Sarigowain, Jhalukhali, Bhugai-Kangsha, Someswari and Jadukata may rise rapidly.
The Teesta River at Dalia point may cross respective danger level in next 24 hours, it predicts.
Incessant rains trigger fear of flood in Sylhet
Meanwhile flood situation in bordering Assam state of India worsened on Sunday as incessant rains inundated new areas in the state, reports Indian media.
UNB Sunamganj correspondent reports: The Surma River was flowing 54 cm above its danger level at Chhatak point while it was flowing 75 cm below the red level at Shologhor point in Sunamganj district Monday noon.
According to the Sunamganj Water Development Board , the water level of all major river in the district are in rising trend due to heavy showers in Cherapunji of India.
Cyclone Sitrang: Two villages flooded in Bagerhat as dam collapses
The Shaktierkhola main road in Bishambharpur upazila was submerged due to flood.
Executive Engineer of Sunamganj Water Development Board Md Mamun Hawladar said the Surma River was flowing 75 cm below the danger mark in Sunamganj in the past 24 hours and the Indian authorities recorded 26mm of rainfall in Cherapunji in the past 24 hours.
Cyclone Sitrang: Flood protection embankment is at risk in Bagerhat
Deputy Commissioner Didar Alam Mohammad Maksud Chwodhury said the shelter centers have keep prepared to tackle the flood.
Lumpy skin disease kills around 300 cows in Sylhet’s Kanaighat upazila, farmers worried ahead of Eid-ul-Azha
Hundreds of cattle in Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet district have contracted lumpy skin disease — causing grave concern among farmers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Some 300 cows infected with lumpy skin disease have died in the upazila; cattle farmers and those who rear cows at home are facing huge losses as a result.
Sources said, the viral disease has been noticed in most cattle farms in the upazila. Cattle farmers are particularly worried considering the Eid-ul-Azha season, as they have been rearing the animals for the occasion.
Due to the outbreak of the virus, no cattle market has been set up in the upazila.
Cattle farmers worry over spread of lumpy skin disease
The viral disease is being noticed in Laxmiprashad West, Laxmiprashad East, Dighirpar East, Satbak and the municipality area.
The veterinarians in the Upazila Livestock Hospital are struggling to provide medical treatment to the cattle.
Talking to owners and farmers of different cattle farms, UNB’s Sylhet correspondent learnt that lumpy skin disease had spread in the area two and a half months ago.
At first, small lumps were seen on the cows and later the lumps were swollen. At one stage, reddish holes appeared on the cows’ skin, the farmers described.
Workshop discusses measures to prevent lumpy skin disease
The infected cows cannot be fed properly as their throats also swell up, they added.
Most of the infected cows die due to gradual weakening.
It is a highly contagious virus, but the affected cattle can be cured after a few months of proper treatment.
Dr. Nabanita Sarkar Tonni, in-charge of Kanaighat Upazila Livestock Hospital, said most of the cattle in the locality are being infected with the virus and there is no vaccine and medicine for its treatment.
Lumpy skin disease causes concern for Faridpur cattle farmers
The authorities concerned of the hospital have already circulated leaflets and made announcements about the outbreak of lumpy skin disease. A meeting has also been arranged in each union with farmers and farm owners over the issue, she said.
“Despite manpower shortage, we are providing treatment to the infected cattle. It takes 3-4 months for the cows to be fully cured and the farmers have been asked to have patience,” she added.
Dr Nabanita also advised the farmers to keep their cows under nets, so that the virus is not spread to healthy animals.
The Fisheries and Livestock Ministry suggested checking mosquito breeding in farm areas and using antipyretic, antibiotic and antihistamine from registered veterinarians to control the disease.
Read more: Eid-ul-Azha 2023: 1,76,690 sacrificial animals ready in Chapainawabganj
Sylhet road crash: Trucker held in Dakkhin Surma
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on Sunday arrested the truck driver who was responsible for the deaths of 15 people in a road crash in Dakkhin Surma upazila.
The arrestee was identified as Shafiqul Islam, 27, son of Mistar Mia of Moksedpur in Sherpur upazila.
Tipped off, a team of Rab-9 conducted a drive in the area and arrested Shafiqul from Dakkhin Surma upazila on Sunday, said media officer of Rab-9 Senior ASP Afsan Al Alam.
Also read: Probe committee formed over Sylhet road accident that killed 15
On June 7 eleven people were killed and ten others were injured when a truck collided head on with a covered van at Nazir Bazar in the upazila.
The injured were taken to Sylhet Osmani Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared four more of them dead.
Also read: 14 dead as truck collides with pickup van carrying construction workers in Sylhet
A case was filed in this connection.
The arrestee was handed over to police.
14 dead as truck collides with pickup van carrying construction workers in Sylhet
At least 14 people were dead and ten others injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup van on Sylhet-Dhaka highway at Nazir Bazar in Dakkhin Surma upazila on Wednesday.
The accident occurred around 5:30 am when the sand-carrying truck collided with a pickup van carrying construction workers in Kutubpur area, leaving 11 people dead and 12 others injured, said Md Samsuddoha, officer-in-charge of Dakkhin Surma Police Station.
The deceased were identified as Rashid Ali, 25, son of Late Sajib Ali of Bhatipara village in Derai upazila under Sunamganj district, Dulam Mia, 26, son of Late Harun Mia of Muradpur village in Shantiganj upazila, Shahin Mia, 40, son of Wahab Ali of Babangaon village of the same upazila, Haris Mia, 65, son of Late Shishu Mia of Alinagar village in Derai upazila, Amina Begum, wife of Abdur Rahim of Haldiura village in Chunarughat upazila under Habiganj district, Sayed Noor, 50, son of late Mofiz Mia of Bhatipara village in Derai upazila, Awlad Hossain, 60, son of late Awlad Ullah of Taleratan village in Shantiganj upazila, Eklim Mia, 55, son of Late Salim Uddin of Patharia village in Dirai upazila, Sijil Mia, 55, son of Barik Ullah of Gachia village, Saurabh Mia, 27, son of Siraj Mia of Bhatipara village, Islam Mia, 27, son of Islam Uddin of Bharhatta upazila under Netrokona district, Meher, 24, daughter of Shamsher Nur of Bhatipara village in Derai upazila, Dudu Mia, 40, son of Sona Mia of Madhupur village in Derai upazila and Badshah, 22, son of Shahjahan of the same village.
Also read: 2 college students killed in Kushtia road accident
The injured were taken to Sylhet Osmani Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared four of them dead.
The pickup van with 20-22 construction workers were heading towards Tajpur.
South Surma Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shamsuddoha said the bodies have been kept at Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue.
The bodies will be handed over to the families after the legal process, the police officer said.
Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Mojibor Rahman said Tk 20,000 has been given to the families of each deceased and Tk 10,000 to the families of each injured person.
Also read: Three killed in road accidents in 2 districts
Awami League candidate for Sylhet City Corporation election Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury donated Tk 25,000 each to the families of the victims on behalf of the prime minister.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury rushed to the hospital. He landed at Sylhet Osmani Airport in the morning and went straight to Osmani Medical College Hospital. The state minister inquired about the treatment of the injured.
Khalid Mahmud said the government will provide all kinds of assistance to the victims of the accident.
Vehicular movement on Sylhet-Dhaka highway remained suspended for three hours following the accident.
A long tailback was created after the accident on the highway. However, vehicular movement resumed around 8 am following police intervention.
Man hacked to death by son in Sylhet
A man was hacked to death allegedly by his son in Sylhet’s Jaintapur upazila on Saturday over a silly matter.
The deceased was identified as Sadhu Patro, 60, resident of the upazila’s Ahmed Nagar Kalichari Chakanagul Cha-Bagan area.
According to locals, there was an argument between the man and his son Chaitanya Patro, 22, and at one stage the son hacked his father with a sharp weapon.
Locals rushed him to the Sylhet M.A.G. Osmani Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries later that night.
On information, police conducted a drive in the area and detained him, said Omar Faruque, officer-in-charge of Jaintapur Model Police Station.
A case was filed in this regard, he said.
Rain, thundershowers likely in Dhaka, 5 other divisions
Dhaka and five other divisions may experience rain or thundershowers in 24 hours from 9 am on Wednesday (May 24, 2023).
Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at many places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions with hails at isolated places over the country, said a bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
Also Read: Despite rain, Dhaka's air quality 'unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning
A mild heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, and Madaripur and it may abate from some places, it read. Day and Night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Wind direction and speed at Dhaka were recorded as 10-15 kph East/southeasterly, with temporary gusting to 30-40 kph.
The country’s highest temperature was recorded at 36.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday in Khulna and the lowest temperature was recorded in Tetulia at 20.2 degrees Celsius.
Read more: Govt issues precautionary measures to avoid lightning strikes
Sylhet’s rail link with rest of the country snapped again
Train communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country remained suspended again since Sunday morning as the removal of two bogies and engine of a train began at Kamalganj upazila in Moulvibazar district.
Kabir Ahmad, a master of Bhanughat railway station, said the train movement from Moulvibazar to other parts of the country remained suspended since 9 am after the removal works started early in the morning.
Md Anisuzzaman, deputy engineer of Kulaura railway junction, said the removal of the derailed bogies and engine will be completed soon, and train operations will resume.
The engine and two bogies of Sylhet-bound ‘Udayan Express’ train from Chattogram veered off the tracks after hitting a tree that fell on the tracks due to storm while passing the Lawachara National Park around 5 am on Saturday, halting train movement.
Also read: Train services resume on Sylhet route after 15 hours
Rail connectivity between Sylhet and the rest of the country returned to normal around 7:30 pm after removal of the bogies and the engine from the tracks on Saturday, after a nearly 15-hour suspension. But those were not removed from the forest area on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the railway department formed a five-member committee to investigate the accident.
The committee, led by Divisional Railway Manager (Dhaka) Shafiqul Islam, already visited the spot on Saturday afternoon.